Overview:
Pujara chose Joe Root, Virat Kohli, and VVS Laxman for his middle order.
Veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara made some intriguing selections while putting together a combined India-England Test XI for the 21st century. India are in England for a five-match Test series. After three matches, the home team is leading by 2-1.
Pujara isn’t in the team right now. He last played a Test match in 2023, when he faced Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at The Oval. Pujara is in England as a member of the broadcast crew. During the “The Draft” section on ESPN Cricinfo, he revealed his choices.
Pujara selected Rahul Dravid and Alec Stewart as openers. Stewart has accumulated 8,463 runs in 133 Test matches, with 15 centuries to his name, and will also serve as wicketkeeper. Dravid, on the other hand, featured in 164 Tests, amassing 13,288 runs and 36 centuries.
Pujara chose Joe Root, Virat Kohli, and VVS Laxman for his middle order. Root, who is currently participating in the series, has amassed 37 hundreds and 13259 runs in 156 Test matches. Kohli, who has retired from Test cricket, accumulated 9230 runs in 123 matches, including 30 hundreds. Another veteran, Laxman, scored 8781 runs in 134 Tests, including 17 hundreds.
Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Andrew Flintoff, and Ben Stokes are the all-rounders.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami are the two fast bowlers. Former England fast bowler Matthew Hoggard was named the 12th man. Pujara’s XI was without Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni.
Alec Stewart (wk), Rahul Dravid, Joe Root, Virat Kohli, VVS Laxman, Ben Stokes, Andrew Flintoff, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Matthew Hoggard (12th man).