Dinesh Karthik believes the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh is crucial for Cheteshwar Pujara. The right-handed batter has not been at his best in the longest format. Still, an impressive county stint and a half-century in the recently concluded series between India A and Bangladesh A have done a world of good to his confidence.
Pujara is also the vice-captain for the first Test in Rohit Sharma’s absence. Pujara has four fifties in four innings at an average of 82 against Bangladesh in Test cricket. The upcoming games are a do-or-die opportunity for the veteran batter.
“It is a critical series for Cheteshwar Pujara and he has been around for some time now,” Karthik told Cricbuzz.
“He was not among runs last year but his last Test in England went well so that is good for him,” he added.
Pujara was dropped for the home Test series against Sri Lanka in 2022 following his poor display in South Africa.
He represented Sussex in the County Championship and scored centuries, leading to his return to Team India for the rescheduled fifth Test against England.
He scored a fifty in the second innings.