After Tests, ODI call-up for Pujara

It seems Cheteshwar Pujara will finally play a one-day international. Pujara, with 1180 runs from just 13 Tests, has made as good a start as any in India’s famed batting history. HT reports.

It seems Cheteshwar Pujara will finally play a one-day international.

Pujara, with 1180 runs from just 13 Tests, has made as good a start as any in India’s famed batting history. With age on his side, and two double tons in the kitty, he is poised for a 100-Test career.

Despite a List A batting average of 57 and a wide array of strokes in his repertoire, Pujara has never been earmarked as a serious one-day potential.

He was part of the ODI squad for the home series against England but didn’t get a game.

Pujara would have made the triumphant Champions Trophy side if not for injury, though he dispelled any fitness issues in an interview roughly a month before the ICC tournament.

At 25, he has already had two knee replacements. Also, he isn’t the most agile mover in the park.

Those are perhaps the reasons why the selectors haven’t created a limited-overs middle order slot for him. But Pujara has finally got the long overdue maiden ODI cap, albeit through the resting of key players.