Ravichandran Ashwin explains Cheteshwar Pujara exclusion from India team for Bangladesh Test

Cheteshwar Pujar during an India practice session in Bangladesh

India’s Ravichandran Ashwin talked about India’s team composition for the Bangladesh Test, backing captain Virat Kohli’s approach to go in with six batsmen and five bowlers – an attacking strategy which has led to Cheteshwar Pujara drawing the short straw.

“You have to leave four people out because you're picking from a 15-man squad," Ashwin said.

"I've been left out in the past. Different people have been left out at different times. It's not like you actually look out for sympathy and say Oh my God, this guy has to sit out. That's not how the game goes. Not trying to be harsh, but I'm speaking the truth.

“Today it was unfortunate that Pujara had to sit out and tomorrow he might play. If you have to play five bowlers, you sacrifice a batsman. As simple as that."

This is the second Test on the trot that Pujara is sitting out. The man touted to be the successor to Rahul Dravid has been seen being far too uncertain about deliveries outside his off-stump in recent times. Combined with the positive showings by the Indian top order in the ongoing Test, it would appear that Pujara will continue to be at the wrong end of captain Kohli’s five-bowler strategy in the immediate future.