India cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir reportedly wanted Border-Gavaskar Trophy veteran Cheteshwar Pujara to be a part of IND vs AUS Tests series but was turned down by the selectors. Rohit Sharma and co. desperately needed the services of the experienced campaigner, especially in IND vs AUS 4th Test where the team needed to bat an entire day out to settle for a draw. Instead, the team witnessed yet another collapse that saw Australia clinch a 184-run win to go 2-1 up in the series.
Gambhir wanted Pujara, selectors refused: Report
As per the Indian Express, Gambhir had implored the selectors to include Cheteshwar Pujara in the squad for BGT. However, the selectors decided to decline his request. Pujara last featured in a match for India in the World Test Championship (WTC) final in 2023 following which he has been out of favour of the selectors. The veteran batter had previously rescued India in the series against Australia in 2018-19 and three years after that.
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It must be noted that the veteran Indian batsman not only played a pivotal role in the last series, but also in the 2018-19 series, where he ended up scoring 521 runs at an average of 74.42.
Tiff between Gautam Gambhir and selectors?
As per Cricbuzz, Gambhir does not hold discussions on selection matters with the selectors unlike his predecessor Rahul Dravid did. Alongside this, reports of him not being on the same page as Rohit is also likely to be taken up for discussion in a closed-door meeting of the BCCI after the tour against Australia.
| Series | Result | Venue | Result |
| India vs Bangladesh | 2-0 | Home | Win |
| India vs New Zealand | 0-3 | Home | Loss |
| India vs Australia* | 1-2* | Away | Yet to be decided |
