The recent exclusion of Cheteshwar Pujara, Sarfaraz Khan, and Suryakumar Yadav from the Indian Test squad has sparked discussions and debates among cricket enthusiasts. While Pujara faced criticism for his performance in the WTC Final, Sarfaraz Khan’s consistent domestic success raised questions about his continued omission. Suryakumar Yadav, a rising star in white-ball cricket, has also faced the disappointment of being overlooked for Test matches.
Cheteshwar Pujara, a seasoned campaigner, faced the axe from the Test squad following a lackluster performance in the World Test Championship Final against Australia. While his dismissal received attention, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar expressed dismay, criticizing the selectors for singling out Pujara amidst a collective batting failure. Pujara’s valuable contributions in the past cannot be disregarded, and it remains to be seen if he will regain his spot in the future.
The omission of Sarfaraz Khan, a consistent performer in domestic cricket, left many bewildered. With an impressive batting average of 80 in domestic tournaments over the past two years, the fans were left questioning why he was overlooked again. Despite his consistent performances, Sarfaraz has struggled to find a place in the national squad. The reasons behind his continued omission remain unclear, and his supporters eagerly await an explanation from the selectors.
Suryakumar Yadav’s emergence as a standout performer in white-ball cricket has created a buzz around his Test inclusion. After impressing in the limited-overs formats, he earned a solitary Test cap during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. However, his subsequent omission from the Test squad for the West Indies series raised eyebrows among fans. According to a senior BCCI official, the decision was made to provide opportunities to other players, but Yadav remains an integral part of India’s plans for upcoming white-ball tournaments.
“It’s obvious that if Surya was in the squad, he would have played ahead of Ruturaj or Yashasvi. And the team wants to try someone new. But Surya is not out of Test plans yet. He is a very important player with Asia Cup and World Cup coming up so, he must focus on white-ball cricket for now. He will get his chance,” the BCCI official explained.
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To strengthen his case for a Test recall, Suryakumar Yadav will be able to showcase his skills in the upcoming Duleep Trophy. Being included in the West Zone squad, Yadav has a chance to shine and demonstrate his abilities in the game’s longer format. A strong performance in the Duleep Trophy could again boost his chances of earning a place in the Test team.
