ICC World Cup 2019: Why India should have given their Test specialist a chance at No.4

Cheteshwar Pujara

#2 Experience

Once you are through the top order (top 3), apart from MS Dhoni (341 ODIs), there is no other batsman with close to 100 ODIs. In an intense tournament, experience plays a vital role and unfortunately, Team India lacks big time in that very aspect.

Pujara might not have played a lot of ODIs (5) but has been a regular part of India’s Test squad (68 Tests) for almost a decade and his experience in the middle order would have been an invaluable asset especially in the crunch situations.

#3 Batting form

Not many often, players outscore run-machine Virat Kohli in a Test match series. In just recently, concluded away series against Australia, Pujara was awarded Man of the Series award for his superlative series of innings scoring over 500 runs. The 31-year-old player was in sublime form and it was the opportunity to bring him back into limited over cricket.

Unfortunately, Pujara’s stable but much-needed slow paced test innings have unfortunately type-casted him exclusively a Test match player or else player with such caliber with few opportunities, could have emerged into just like his idol, Rahul.