There was some controversy arousing as team management dropped Cheteshwar Pujara for the first test match. Pujara’s slow approach has helped him score pile of runs in India but the defensive tactics goes against him at the overseas tours. His form was debatable in the county cricket and as a result he was dropped from the playing 11 which saw Shikhar Dhawan retain his place despite failing in the practise match against Essex at Chlemsford.
Batting order
Indian team management opted to go for Vijay and Dhawan at the top and the in-form KL Rahul at number 3. Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Dinesh Karthik and Hardik Pandya held the other spots.
Bowling order
Ashwin was preferred over two left arm spinners Kuldeep and Jadeja. The pace department will be lead by Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami.
Here’s how twitter reacted after Cheteshwar Pujara missed out from the Edgbaston test against England.
In 2014 tour,
Kohli Flopped
Pujara Flopped.In 2018 tour,
Kohli Captain
Pujara Dropped. pic.twitter.com/D1KrVclcm1— Anil Kumble (@CoachKumble) August 1, 2018
Feeling bad for Pujara..
Yes he is not in form but team management has never shown confidence in him
Dhawan has also not performed outside India
At least Pujara is spending time on crease it’s important to see off new ball in test cricket unhappy with this decision #ENGvIND
— Cric Base (@Cric_Base) August 1, 2018
Brilliant from Kohli. If there was any captain who could have dared to leave Pujara out, it was him and he did it. Message sent to everyone – Perform or warm the bench. I don’t care about your reputation.
— Abhishek (@Sajjanlaunda) August 1, 2018
No Pujara is a decision based on white ball cricket. How much will it cost India? We shall see as the Test progresses. Batting out time is important, scoring runs is not the only way to go ahead in Tests. Anyway, is that the end of Che?
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) August 1, 2018
Frankly, Pujara’s form even in county cricket was very mediocre so his being dropped not such a surprise. But Dhawan surely on notice!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) August 1, 2018
I guess Pujara’s recent performances in England went against him. But this is a five test series and I will be surprised if he is not playing at some stage.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 1, 2018
Pujara to Kohli after getting dropped. #EngvInd pic.twitter.com/GoqvaGg9db
— SAGAR (@sagarcasm) August 1, 2018
