Prioritizing Red-Ball Cricket: Pujara Advocates for Dedicated Test Players

Former Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara suggests dedicating 25-30 domestic players specifically for Test cricket, while acknowledging the trend of players choosing only white-ball formats. Pujara highlights the importance of nurturing red-ball skills and advises against shying away from traditional formats, emphasizing training and performance-based selection.

In a candid discussion, former Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara emphasized the need for a distinct group of players to focus solely on Test cricket. He suggested earmarking 25-30 players based on domestic performances to ensure a strong future cadre for red-ball cricket in India.

Pujara, speaking as a cricket expert, noted the changing landscape where players often opt for only white-ball formats, yet stressed the importance of honing skills for red-ball cricket. He encouraged young cricketers to pursue all formats, highlighting the success of frontline Test bowlers in T20 cricket as examples.

He further remarked on the efforts of the BCCI in identifying and training potential Test players, thereby ensuring they are given opportunities to develop their red-ball game while others compete in the IPL. Pujara's perspective underscores the vital role of nurturing and training focused Test cricketers for India's cricketing future.