‘Not the right call’ – Cheteshwar Pujara slams decision to include Ravindra Jadeja in playing XI for Gabba Test

Veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara questioned the team’s logic to play Ravindra Jadeja in the 3rd Test match. India so far has played three spin bowlers in three Test matches during the ongoing Australian tour. Washington Sundar played the Perth Test, while Ravichandran Ashwin played in Adelaide. 

Speaking on Star Sports, the 36-year-old batter said, “I know he has been chosen as a batter who can bowl a bit. But, in Australian conditions, when you know that the strong opposition batters are left-handers, Travis Head, Usman (Khawaja), and Alex Carey all are left-handers. So, you want your off-spinner to be there. Even if you look at the rough, it's mainly for the right-handers, so off-spinners will come into play eventually, even in the second innings.” 

Ravindra Jadeja looked off colour with the ball and was carted around for runs and was wicketless at the end of day two. The 36-year-old all-rounder had missed the first two games of the series after having last played during the home series against New Zealand. 

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Cheteshwar Pujara also said, “That's where I thought our thought process was not up to the mark. We could have gone with the off-spinner. It could have been Ashwin or Washington, but playing Jadeja was probably not the right call. He is one of the best players. He is a great batter and a great fielder, but probably to contain Aussies in those conditions, I thought it was a tough task for him.”

Meanwhile, 36-year-old Pujara also wasn’t pleased with the way Indian bowlers bowled to Travis Head on Sunday. The Australian batter scored 152 runs to record his 2nd successive century against India in the current series. Steve Smith also scored a century to end his three-figure drought. 

Pujara, during his chat with ESPN CRICINFO, said, “Our planning hasn't been great against Travis Head. I know he has been batting well. He's in great form—the way he is timing the ball. But last game, we didn't bowl enough short balls. This game we did, but if you look at his scoring areas, which is outside off stump, that's where we are feeding too many balls. That's where we are bowling a lot more."

India’s veteran star also added, “I said this even in the last game that you need to bowl in the stumps. We need to attack his off stump, middle stump. I would even say that if you end up bowling on leg stump, that is still fine. Have four fielders on the leg side and have five fielders on the off side, but don't allow him to score on the off side. He walks in after 30 overs when the ball is little soft. But, we need to learn to be a little more patient, bowl in that channel and make him drive a bit more.”