Dinesh Karthik picks replacements for Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane ahead of BGT 2024-25

IndiaLast work in progress World Test Championship (WTC) the cycle will be a round trip Australia Of course Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT)scheduled to start in November 2024 and end in January 2025. This five-test series is set to grab the significant attention of cricket lovers across the globe. India recently became one of the few teams to challenge Australia on their home turf, winning the series in both the 2018-19 and 2020-21 series 2-1. The upcoming series is expected to be an impressive spectacle.

The legacy of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane

India’s previous tour to Australia featured notable contributions from Cheteshwar Pujara again Ajinkya Rahanewho contributed to the central system of India. Pujara, with 103 Test matches, amassed 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, including 19 hundreds and 35 half-centuries, his highest score being an unbeaten 206. including 12 centuries and 26 fifties, with a high score of 188. Together, they form a trusting central relationship.

Drops and selections are changing

After India’s historic win at The Gabba in Brisbane in January 2021, both Pujara and Rahane experienced a marked decline in their performances, leading to their exclusion from Test selection for over a year. Rahane’s last Test appearance was against The West Indies in July 2023, while Pujara last played against Australia in June 2023 at The Oval. The national selectors have moved on from them, looking for new talent in the team.

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Dinesh Karthik names a possible replacement ahead of BGT 2024-25

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Dinesh Karthik, former wicketkeeper-Indian batsman, suggested that Shubman Gill again Sarfaraz Khan would be the right people to fill the void left by Pujara and Rahane. Both the players have shown their mettle in the home Test series against each other In England earlier this year, and Karthik believe they are strong contenders for the upcoming BGT in Australia. Karthik admitted that there was a challenge to cover two stars like Pujara and Rahane but he expressed confidence in Gill and Khan that they will be able to stand up.

Karthik says, “Shubman Gill and Sarfaraz Khan—both these batsmen did well against England in the recent home series. I expect both will be selected for the Australian tour and will aim to do their best. It remains to be seen whether they can fill the important shoes of Ajinkya and Pujara, but they have the quality and quality to succeed,”

Before heading to Australia, India will host Bangladesh again New Zealand in the two-match and three-match Test series, respectively. The series against Bangladesh will begin on September 19 in Chennai.

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