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Following India’s shocking home series defeat to New Zealand, former cricketer Aakash Chopra has voiced strong criticism of the Indian side, lamenting the absence of Cheteshwar Pujara’s steady influence. On October 26, New Zealand defeated India by 113 runs in the second Test at the MCA Stadium in Pune, securing a 2-0 series lead with one match remaining. This was India’s first home series loss in 12 years and the first time they lost a home series to New Zealand.
The Indian batting lineup was largely to blame, collapsing for just 245 runs in their pursuit of a challenging 359-run target in the second innings. Chopra, who has been an ardent advocate of Pujara’s style, argued that India is missing a defensive anchor like Pujara who could hold the innings together, especially under pressure.
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Aakash Chopra Calls for Pujara’s Return
Addressing the criticism, Chopra questioned the decision to leave out Pujara. “Are we missing Pujara? It’s a big question. You may argue he’d score a certain number of runs, and others can do that too, but no one can replicate what he brings,” Chopra remarked. “Everyone plays the same brand of cricket now—attacking and aggressive with no thought for a draw. That approach simply doesn’t work in every situation.”
India’s recent overhaul of their batting order saw young players like Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant take on significant roles, but Chopra highlighted the risks of relying solely on an aggressive style, especially when conditions demand resilience.
Pujara’s Stellar Domestic Performance
Despite his exclusion, Pujara, 36, has continued to impress in the domestic circuit, recently scoring a double century in the Ranji Trophy. His strong form has raised questions about whether he should be reconsidered for India’s Test lineup. However, when India announced their squad for the upcoming five-Test series against Australia, Pujara was once again left out.
The series defeat to New Zealand has reignited the debate over India’s need for players like Pujara, who can stabilize the innings and provide balance in challenging conditions. With India facing a tougher challenge against Australia, Chopra’s comments highlight a pressing question: does India need a player like Pujara to regain their stability and success in the longest format?
