Dinesh Karthik picks interesting replacements for Pujara and Rahane in Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

India have two Test series to play in the next two months, but all the focus has shifted to Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 which will consist of five Test matches starting November 22.

The talks about the composition of the India squad which would travel to Australia have already begun. Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik in the recent episode of HeyCB with DK show on Cricbuzz, has talked about the replacements of senior batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, in the much-awaited series.

dinesh-karthik-picks-interesting-replacements-for-pujara-and-rahane-in-border-gavaskar-trophy-2024

Pujara and Rahane played crucial roles in India's historic last two Test series wins in Australia. In fact, Rahane led India to a 2-1 series in 2020-21. However, as things stand, the two veteran cricketers are out-of-favour for more than a year now, and are unlikely to feature in the series.

Dinesh Karthik names Pujara and Rahane's replacement in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024

Dinesh Karthik has backed Shubman Gill, and Sarfaraz Khan to fill in for Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in the series down under. He said both the youngsters have what it takes to prevail in Australia.

“Shubman Gill and Sarfaraz Khan. Both of those batters have done really well against England in the home series that recently happened at the start of the year. I have a feeling both of them will definitely be on that flight to Australia and will be trying to do their best. We will know if they’re able to replace both Ajinkya and Pujji (Pujara). Big shoes to fill, but they have the quality and calibre in them,” Karthik said on HeyCB with DK show on Cricbuzz

While Shubman Gill has become a regular for Team India at three after Pujara was dropped, Sarfaraz Khan was mighty impressive with his aggressive style of play in his debut Test series against England earlier this year. He scored 200 runs in five innings at an average of 50, and a strike rate of 79.36. Three fifties came off his bat in three matches.