Pujara stands tall in Windies, has a very bright chance of booking a place in India’s Test team

Cheteshwar Pujara seems to be a Test certainty, writes The Times Of India, stating that the India A captain, currently touring the West Indies, has a very bright chance of booking a place in India’s Test team for the home series against New Zealand.

“The Saurashtra batsman, who was down with a knee injury and missed out on a majority of the last domestic season, is all set to be rewarded for his superb performances in the Caribbean. Pujara has scored three consecutive fifties on the tour so f ar in difficult batting conditions,” says the paper.

The Indian cricket board (BCCI) is even convinced Pujara is the right man to step into the big shoes of Rahul Dravid. “He could have been a part of India’s Test team on recent tours but wasn’t considered because he was unfit. Right now, he is batting well and should be picked for Tests,” a source told TOI, adding: “Fitting into Dravid’s shoes is not easy but Pujara has started off well. He will certainly get a longer run to prove his credential at the highest level.”

Meanwhile, left-arm spinner Akshay Darekar struck twice to help India ‘A’ reduce West Indies ‘A’ to 63 for three at lunch on the third day of their second Test in St Vincent on Monday. Darekar claimed two wickets for nine in 10 overs, while fast bowler Shami Ahmed got the first breakthrough after the hosts resumed their second innings at six without loss, says a report in The Indian Express.

India ‘A’ dominated the pre-lunch session on Day Three after the visitors were dismissed for 202, giving the hosts a vital 15-run first innings lead, on Sunday evening. Kraigg Brathwaite (21) and Jonathan Carter (9) were at the crease at lunch as West Indies swelled their overall lead to 78 runs.

Opener Justin Guillen was caught at short mid-on by Abhinav Mukund off pacer Shami as West Indies ‘A’ lost their first wicket at 11 for one.

India ‘A’ skipper Cheteshwar Pujara introduced spinners into the attack and Darekar justified the move, dismissing Kyle Corbin for 16. Darekar struck again when his flighted slow delivery trapped newman Nkrumah Bonner (5) in front of the stumps to leave the home team tottering at 48 for three.

According to The Hindu report, India ‘A' skipper Cheteshwar Pujara (67, 6x4, 1x6) stood tall amidst the ruins after his West Indies ‘A' counterpart Veersammy Permaul wrecked the visitor with a five-wicket haul on the second day of the second unofficial cricket ‘Test'. India's top-order once again flopped as the side folded up for 202, giving the host a vital 15-run first innings lead.