New Delhi, India

Cheteshwar Pujara is a Test cricket giant all across, let alone for India. The closest thing to the great Rahul Dravid is him, and ironically, his batting position, technique, temperament, style of play and ability to tire the opposition are similar to that of ‘The Wall'. With the new-look Indian Team ready to roar Down Under, they somewhere, and for some reason, need Pujara back playing at number three ahead of Shubman Gill, a Test star in the making.

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Gill hasn’t done anything wrong. A fantastic ODI opener has found his mojo in the shortest format lately but has yet to cement his place in the Test side; more so for his new position, with him replacing Pujara at number three since the WTC Final last year, Gill has been far from the threat he possessed as an opener.

However, with the captain Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal certain to take up the opener’s slot for the marquee Test series, Gill’s only chance of playing each of the five Tests is to bat at number three – a position head coach Gautam Gambhir would fancy him to succeed at, but that’s too big a risk to take knowing the stakes – the spot in the 2025 WTC Final.

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So, how can India avoid finding themselves in a position they haven’t been in on the last two tours? The big comeback of Pujara in the Test squad.

The veteran number three batter for India has found his Midas touch in the ongoing Ranji Trophy, whacking a brilliant 234 for Saurashtra – his 18th first-class double hundred, which is the most by an Indian. Since being dropped from the Indian Test Team last year, Pujara returned to the English County, playing for Sussex, for whom he scored two tons this season.

Pujara – a monster batter in Australia

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Not many have dominated the Aussie pace attack as Pujara did since his first trip Down Under in 2014. However, his best came four years later, when he scored a brilliant 123 in the first innings in Adelaide, helping India put up a fighting total and eventually win the match. His 521-run tally across seven innings – 201 more than the second-best batter (Rishabh Pant), was a testament to his batting prowess.

With the final Test at the SCG ending in a draw, the game in which Pujara hit 193, his best score Down Under, India created history by beating Australia at their home in Tests for the first time.

Two years later, the spirited Indian Team achieved a similar result, winning the four-match series 2-1, becoming the first Indian Team to beat Australia twice Down Under.

Looking beyond his marathon knocks against the Oz all these years, Pujara’s greatest efforts included his innings in the third Test in Sydney, wherein he scored twin fifties, but that’s not even the best part about it. While Pujara batted 176 balls in the first innings, he eventually broke the camel’s back with his gritty 205-ball 77 in the second innings, batting for endless hours and blocking everything coming his way.

What was the cherry on the top? The blows he took hurt him badly, but the Aussies more, who, for the second time in two series, failed to break Pujara’s concentration and defence.

With the stars aligning for Pujara just in time for the Border-Gavaskar series, we could see him return to the Test side for his last tour Down Under.

What happens to Shubman Gill then?

For everything that he has done thus far, which is no short of exceptional on several grounds, India must find a way to fit Gill into the XI for the Perth Test. Outside of the top three, which would belong to Rohit, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Pujara should he be picked, Gill’s best chance is probably at lower order, at five or six. That, however, would also depend on KL Rahul’s form heading into the Australian tour.

In an ideal situation, Gill could fit in at five, just after Kohli and before Sarfaraz Khan or Rishabh Pant, though India is unlikely to play Khan so low at seven, putting his spot in jeopardy.

In another scenario, Gill could play ahead of Jaiswal at the top, his preferred position, and having some experience batting there Down Under, Gill could fancy his chances of doing well; with that, he can even press his case for a permanent top-order spot when Rohit bids farewell to this format.

Considering all variables, Gill might have to fight hard for his spot in the XI if the BCCI selectors decide to bring Pujara for the BGT.

However, for now, all eyes would be on Pujara’s selection, and who knows, with that, India could benefit and do an unthinkable – beat Australia thrice at home.