India vs South Africa: Harbhajan questions Pujara and Rahane's absence after Centurion defeat

Spin legend Harbhajan Singh has called for the Indian team leadership to reconsider their stance on Cheteshwar Pujara after their meek surrender in the first Test against South Africa in Centurion. Team India’s hopes of ending their ongoing tour with a first-ever Test series victory on South African soil were dashed after suffering an innings and 32-run defeat inside three days at the SuperSport Park, the venue where they had registered a 113-run victory two years ago. IND vs SA: India get a reality check with innings thrashing in Centurion A key reason behind their defeat was the batting order crumbling like a house of cards in a space of two days against sustained pressure from the four-pronged South African pace attack. Former India off-spinner Harbhajan felt that the Indians may have missed the likes of Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, both of whom ended up losing their places in the Test side this year. “You didn’t select Ajinkya Rahane and have left Cheteshwar Pujara out for no reason. These are the two players who have scored runs everywhere. If you look at the previous record Pujara has the same contribution as Kohli had. “I am absolutely clueless why Pujara has been left out, we still don’t have a better batter than Pujara in Test cricket. He plays slowly but he saves you, because of him India won Test in Australia and England,” Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.

Pujara, one of India’s all-time batting greatest with 7,195 Test runs in 103 appearances, was dropped from the side after an indifferent run in the World Test Championship final. Rahane, who made a name for himself with overseas tons, was dropped shortly after following poor outings in the tour of the West Indies. Read | 'India's shot selection left much to be deserved': Sachin Tendulkar The two senior batters had originally been dropped after the 2021-22 tour of South Africa, which India ended up losing 1-2 despite taking the lead with their victory in Centurion. Pujara, however, would claw his way back into the team in the delayed fifth Test against England in Birmingham later that summer, his selection chances boosted by a superb run for Sussex in the County Championship. Rahane, on the other hand, returned to the Test lineup for the first time since getting dropped in the WTC final against Australia at The Oval in June, where he scored a fighting 89 in the first innings that helped the Rohit Sharma-led side avoid having to follow-on. Thursday’s innings defeat in Centurion has effectively ended India’s hopes of conquering the 'Final Frontier' — winning a maiden Test series on South African soil.