IND vs BAN: "The Way He Scored Runs After Getting Dropped, He Has Set An Example For Young Players On How To Make A Comeback

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Cheteshwar Pujara and Shreyas Iyer led India to post a strong total of 278/6 against Bangladesh on Day 1 of the first Test at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif stated that Cheteshwar Pujara’s name should come after Virat Kohli, but he was dropped from the India squad.

The visitors were on the verge of a shocking batting collapse, having been reduced to 48 for 3 at one stage, but Cheteshwar Pujara demonstrated admirable patience and forged crucial partnerships to save India. Pujara scored a brilliant 90 off 203 balls and looked to be on his way to ending his 50-innings-long century drought in Test cricket before being dismissed by left-arm spinner Taijul Islam.

Shreyas Iyer, Cheteshwar Pujara. Image Credits: BCCI

He Made The Selectors Surrender In Front Of Him – Mohammad Kaif

Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has said that he forced the selectors to ‘surrender’ in front of him. Kaif claims that he has shown young players how to make a comeback.

“The way he scored runs after getting dropped, he has set an example for young players on how to make a comeback. He was dropped after scoring 6 and a half thousand runs. Virat Kohli ke baad unhi ka number hai boss (His name should come after Virat Kohli) but he was dropped,” Kaif said in a select-media interaction organised by Sony Sports Network.

“What did he do? He went to play County cricket, he scored centuries in four-day matches and 50-over games, which prompted the selectors to recall him. Unhone bola ‘bhai ghalti ho gayi, humein maaf karo’ (The selectors said ‘please forgive us’). He made the selectors surrender in front of him. That is Pujara,” he added.

Age Has Nothing To Do With Cricket – Mohammad Kaif

Mohammad Kaif believes that cricket is a skill-based game, and age has nothing to do with cricket. He stated that as long as Pujara is fit and scoring runs for India, his age should not be a topic of discussion.

“I am really happy today and not bothered about not getting a three-figure mark. I have been batting well, and if I carry on like this, it will come soon. Age has nothing to do with cricket. It is a skill-based game. It’s not football, where you have to run up and down continuously during the match. In fact, age is a plus point. You learn with experience and improve.”

“Pujara, Kohli and Rohit and prime examples. You talk about all the legends, they are all in the range of 34-35 years. Test cricket is a skill-based format, you have to play long and you need experience for that. You need players who can bat on turning, as well as seaming tracks, and you only get better with time. Pujara is a prime example,” he added.

Also read: IND vs BAN: “You Will Find It Difficult To Get A Place Once Rohit Sharma Comes Back” – Mohammad Kaif On Shubman Gill