R Ashwin in a video on his YouTube channel© YouTube
After levelling the 5-Test series against England 1-1 in the second match, the Indian cricket team heads to Rajkot for the 3rd encounter of the series. The Saurashtra Cricket Association also has plans to felicitate two superstars of the Indian Test team — Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravindra Jadeja — at the venue. While Jadeja is part of the current setup, Pujara was overlooked for a spot in the squad despite his brilliant run in the Ranji Trophy.
As the cricketing fraternity talks about Pujara’s potential Test return, even veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has his eyes on the batter, but for a different reason.
While the Rajkot stadium is Pujara’s home ground, the veteran batter is from Jamnagar. Ashwin, hence, is keen to see if Pujara invites the Indian team for dinner on the occasion.
“The Indian players have gone back home and will be reuniting for the next Test match in Rajkot. Rajkot is the home of Cheteshwar Pujara. A certified Indian legend who recently concluded his 100 Test matches. We’ll be playing in his place. Ravindra Jadeja, Saurashtra. The Rajkot stadium is his home ground, but he is from Jamnagar. Let’s wait and watch if Cheteshwar Pujara invites everyone to his home for dinner,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
It has to be noted that during the 2016 Test series against England at home, Pujara had called the entire team to his home in Rajkot for dinner. What is different this time is the fact that Pujara was part of India’s squad for the Test series back then. It isn’t the same case on this occasion.
The Test specialist batter last played for India during the World Test Championship final in July 2023. Since then, Shubman Gill has taken over Pujara’s No. 3 spot.
While Gill’s place was also in danger before the second Test, his century in Vizag earned him the control over his situation once again.
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