"India need to find somebody like that" - Wasim Jaffer on visitors missing Cheteshwar Pujara in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25
Wasim Jaffer reckons India need to find a batter like Cheteshwar Pujara if they want to be successful in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He opined that the visitors can only win if they post substantial totals.
India will face Australia in a five-match Test series, with the first game starting in Perth on November 22. Pujara has not been chosen in the 18-member Indian squad picked for the series.
During an interaction with Sports Tak, Jaffer was asked about his thoughts on India's chances against Australia.
"I feel it will be difficult for the Indian team, to be honest. Beating Australia in Australia is obviously difficult. India played incredible cricket in the two series they won. However, I feel they will have to bat slightly better this time. Pujara is not there this time," he responded.
"I think Pujara was the main guy, the way he played the new ball. He tired out their fast bowlers in the initial overs and then stood there and scored the big runs. India need to find somebody like that. If India put runs on the board, then only they can win. Otherwise, I feel Australia have the upper hand," Jaffer added.
Pujara amassed 521 runs at an average of 74.42 in seven innings in India's 2-1 win in the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He aggregated 271 runs at a slightly below-par average of 33.87 in eight innings in India's last tour Down Under but played 928 deliveries in the process.
"This will hurt more" - Wasim Jaffer on comparing India's 0-3 loss to New Zealand to the 0-2 defeat against South Africa in his debut series
![India suffered a crushing 0-3 loss in the home series against New Zealand. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/11/f8c8d-17309608444310-1920.jpg?w=500)
In the same interaction, Wasim Jaffer was asked whether the 0-3 loss in the recent series against New Zealand or the 0-2 defeat in his debut series against South Africa is more hurting.
"I think this will hurt more because I remember we had come after losing 3-0 to Australia. So the confidence was obviously less. The pitch was very bad in Bengaluru. I remember Nicky Boje had picked up wickets and India were only playing with Anil Kumble and Murali Kartik was very young," he replied.
The former India opener pointed out that the loss against New Zealand was unexpected considering the hosts were playing with a virtually full-strength squad.
"It was his debut series as well and Nikhil Chopra was there. So it was a very inexperienced bowling attack. Harbhajan (Singh) was probably not available because of injury. However, I feel this is probably one of India's best teams. All players were available. Even New Zealand wouldn't have expected to win 3-0 in India," Jaffer observed.
India suffered a 0-2 defeat in the two-match Test home series against South Africa in 2000. However, the 0-3 reversal against the Kiwis is the first time India have been whitewashed in a home series of three or more Tests.