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Pujara vital for India’s Test success – Kumble
- Updated: September 10, 2016
India coach Anil Kumble has given his wholehearted backing for Cheteshwar Pujara to have an uninterrupted run in the Indian middle order, admitting that it is “not good” that a “sword is always hanging on his head.” Pujara lost his spot in the playing XI for the third Test in St. Lucia during India’s recent tour of the West Indies, Kumble’s first series in-charge, after making 16 and 46 in his previous two innings. His replacement Rohit Sharma made 9 and 41 in that match, and both he and Pujara were included for the final Test in Trinidad, where only 22 overs were possible and India didn’t get to bat.
“With modern cricket, everybody looks at the strike rate rather than what that particular player brings to that table,” Kumble told ESPNcricinfo. “Pujara is a very important cog in our wheel and when he plays at No. 3, he is a very important player. Yes, there are times when he misses out and Rohit comes in. That’s when we probably feel we need someone lower down to accelerate. That’s why in one of the Tests in West Indies, he missed out.
“The one good thing about this team is that all 17 who were in the squad were all available to play and all of them show that intent. If they are playing, they are fine. When they are left out, yes, they are disappointed, but at the …
