"Time for him to make a statement"- Fans react as Cheteshwar Pujara comes out to open the innings for India in fifth Test vs England
Middle-order veteran Cheteshwar Pujara has taken up the opening slot in the batting order in the rescheduled fifth Test between India and England. The two teams are playing the final Test of the five-match series in Edgbaston, Birmingham. India currently hold a 2-1 lead in the series.
Due to the absence of regular opener KL Rahul (groin injury) and Indian captain Rohit Sharma (COVID positive), Pujara has been thrust into the opening role alongside Shubman Gill
The experienced batter usually fills the No. 3 slot in the Indian batting order. Pujara will be confident at the crease, having had a successful stint with Sussex in the 2022 County Championship.
He scored 720 runs in five matches and his run-scoring spree with the county side helped him make a comeback into the Indian side. He has been a dependable batter for India over the years.
Netizens react to Cheteshwar Pujara's comeback
Here's how netizens reacted to the news of Pujara opening the innings against England:
@karannpatelll It's a pujara day💥
Mark my tweet
@hganjoo153 Pujara : https://t.co/fgw4P99NJK
Pujara has opened for india in test not many times, one instance I remember is pujara opened in one of test when India toured SL in 2015. And guess what he carried his bat in that inning.
Pujara Gill opening against Anderson Broad https://t.co/3Mr00sb8It
When he opened, Dravid said, he felt "rushed" to the ground. That, despite so many times facing the second ball at No.3. Today he's head coach and another longstanding No.3 is opening. Massive challenge for Pujara. But if it comes off, immense possibilities going ahead.
Top performer - Pujara
..Pujara 100 Loading 🔥..
Praying for Pujara hope he score some runs 🤞🏻
A lot of eyes would be on #Pujara who just missed one test series with poor form..has to reassure the team that he is here to stay again. #EngvInd #IndvEng
high hopes from Pujara #ENGvIND
@SonySportsNetwk #askstar
Shubhman gill and pujara opening great choice of team India 👍
@GhufraanAneeb Obviously, i am contemplating, i cannot be sure, not a sooth sayer. The selections are very much decent. We have solid Pujara at top and then Shreyas to counter spin
Good move to open with Pujara. Remember he was dropped, and making a comeback now, so rightly Vihari the incumbent number 3 should not be dislodged
@ILoveYouJanu69 Pujara will be the man of the match..
Not an official tip but with all his county experience Pujara should score good amount of runs 💥🤝
Hoping for a Kohli and Pujara masterclass
pujara is back time for himto make a statement and win this test match for team india
The last fan (account name: Khemansingla) tweeted:
"Pujara is back. Time for him to make a statement and win this Test match for team India."
Indian fans will hope Cheteshwar Pujara can deliver on those expectations.
It is worth mentioning that opening batter Mayank Agarwal was added to India's squad as a backup for Sharma. However, he didn't make it to the playing XI for the contest.
England elect to bowl first against India at Edgbaston
England's Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bowl first on the surface. It is a must-win game for the hosts as India currently lead the series by 2-1.
India have scored 30 runs for the loss of one wicket (Subhman Gill) after eight overs at the time of writing.
Here are the playing XIs for the all-important tie:
India's playing XI: Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah(c)
England's playing XI: Alex Lees, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes(c), Sam Billings(w), Matty Potts, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, James Anderson