Cheteshwar Pujara has expressed concerns about India’s ability to take 20 wickets in a Test during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Speaking on Monday, he highlighted the team’s bowling limitations as they prepare for the decisive matches in Melbourne and Sydney, with the series tied at 1-1.
Pujara emphasized the over-reliance on Jasprit Bumrah, who has excelled but lacks adequate support from other bowlers. He noted that while the middle and lower-middle order, including Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Reddy, and even tailenders like Bumrah and Akash Deep, have contributed with the bat, the bowling attack remains a concern.
“The bowling looks weak, and that’s the biggest question. You can’t drop players like Nitish or Jadeja, so the team combination becomes tricky,” Pujara said on Star Sports. He questioned the effectiveness of Nitish Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja as the fourth and fifth bowlers, particularly in the absence of R. Ashwin, who has retired. He suggested that playing two spinners in Melbourne might not be an option.
To win Tests, teams need a bowling unit capable of taking 20 wickets, which India currently lacks, he added. Pujara also highlighted the top-order’s failure to counter Mitchell Starc’s early spells with the new ball, calling him Australia’s most dangerous bowler in the series. Starc’s accuracy and improved line and length have made him more threatening than Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Pujara observed.
Pujara urged the Indian top-order to survive Starc’s opening spells and push him into later stages, where he’s less effective. He stressed that addressing both bowling depth and top-order batting will be key to India’s success in the remaining matches.
