Cheteshwar Pujara’s absence was one of the big talking points after India’s squad for the two-Test series against the West Indies in July was announced. It has been speculated that Yashasvi Jaiswal could be taking up the No.3 spot that Pujara made his own over the last decade.

Gavaskar said on Sports Today –

“Why has he been made the scapegoat for our batting failures? He has been a loyal servant of Indian cricket, a quiet and able achiever. But because he doesn’t have millions of followers on whatever platforms who would make a noise in case he gets dropped, you drop him? That is something beyond understanding.”

Ex-India captain Sunil Gavaskar feels that this was a chance for the selectors to rest a number of senior players give chances to more younger players.

Gavaskar lamented the fact that questions cannot be asked of selectors as there was no press conference in which they announced the squad.

He added – “What is the criteria for dropping him and keeping the others who failed. I don’t know because nowadays there is no media interaction with the selection committee chairman or whoever where you could actually ask these questions.”

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Gavaskar said about Pujara –

“Yes he has been playing County cricket, he knows what the red ball is all about. Nowadays players can play till they are 39 or 40, there is nothing wrong with that. They are all very fit and as long as you are producing runs or taking wickets.”

Gavaskar added – “I don’t think age should be a factor. Clearly only one man has been singled out while the others also failed. To me, the batting failed. Apart from Ajinkya Rahane, there was nobody who got any runs. So why Pujara has been made the fall guy is something the selectors need to explain.”