Gautam Gambhir Named Cheteshwar Pujara’s Replacement For The Test Series Against SL: Senior batter Cheteshwar Pujara, regarded as the ‘Modern Wall’ in the Indian team, was dropped from Team India’s squad for the upcoming 2-Test series between India and Sri Lanka, due to his poor form and inconsistent performances.
As the Test series against Sri Lanka is just around the corner, former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir has suggested Pujara’s replacement for the series. Apart from Pujara, the Indian national selection committee also dropped former vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, wicketkeeper batter Wriddhiman Saha, and senior pacer Ishant Sharma from the Test squad.
Now as the Indian cricket team led by Rohit Sharma is all set to start a transition phase ahead of the Sri Lanka series, Gautam Gambhir feels Shreyas Iyer as the perfect replacement for Pujara as India’s number 3 batter in the longest format of the game. Speaking to Star Sports, the former cricketer said:
“He has been brilliant so far. He showed it during his innings against New Zealand. Not everyone can score a century in their first Test innings. He has got all the shots and has the temperament of a middle-order batter. He can build an innings well and play anchor. He can be the perfect No. 3 batter for India. I don’t see why he can’t replace Pujara in India’s Playing XI,”
Shreyas Iyer has already impressed one and all with his sensational Test debut against New Zealand at home. Iyer had become the first Indian to score a ton and half-century on Test debut.
Recently, Shreyas was also named as the new skipper of the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise in the Indian Premier League.
