Xtra Time Web Desk: The senior selection committee led by Shib Sundar Das is expected to take some tough calls as they pick the squads for the forthcoming tour to the Caribbean which will also be India’s first series in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle. According to a reports, four of the top five batters who played in the WTC Final against Australia at the Oval are likely to retain their spots. There is likely to be a discussion on Cheteshwar Pujara’s place in the squad.
Pujara’s mode of dismissal in both the innings of WTC Final 2023 have been heavily criticized. The Sourashtra batter has managed to score only one hundred in 52 innings (28 Tests) since 2020 at a dismal average of 29.69. While he has registered 11 half-centuries, his average further dropped to 26.31 when his scores of 90 and 102* in the Chittagong Test in December 2022 are excluded.
Even if Pujara keeps his place in the test squad, there is no guarantee he will be included in the playing XI. Selectors can pick Mumbai’s Yashasvi Jaiswal for the test squad. The youngster has been in terrific form both in domestic cricket and recently concluded IPL 2023. Yashasvi is tipped to replace Pujara in the test squad.
The Indian team are slated to play two Test matches during the tour to the Caribbean. Windsor Park in Dominica will host the first Test match from 12-16 July. The second Test match, to be played from 20-24 July at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad, will be historic marking the 100th Test match played between the two teams.