IND vs AUS: Who Will Fill Cheteshwar Pujara’s Shoes in Australia? KL Rahul Faces the Ultimate Test

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The upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy series is just a day away from going all guns blazing. As India prepares to kick-start another challenging Test series in Australia, a major question looms over the team. Who will step into Cheteshwar Pujara's shoes?

Once considered the cornerstone of India's batting lineup, Test specialist, Cheteshwar Pujara is out of the selectors’ radar. The veteran who delivered the goods Down Under, will not field this time since he will be donning the commentator's hat for Star Sports.

His absence does leave a significant gap in the team’s approach. It is no secret that his steady, patient, and resolute batting style played a vital role in India's success in Australia, where the Rajkot-born has scored many memorable runs under tough conditions.

But cricket moves on and with no other way, India must find someone to shoulder this vital responsibility. Now all signs point to KL Rahul. However, whether he can channel his inner Pujara is a topic of debate.

Pujara who scored 7195 runs in 103 Tests, is known for his ability to bat for long hours, blunt the new ball and frustrate bowlers. His greatest strength is his patience, although he doesn’t seek the limelight, he has shown that he can outlast bowlers in hostile conditions.

This approach has been particularly effective in Australia, where bounce and pace demand technical solidity and mental toughness. Pujara’s role in India's historic 2-1 triumph in the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy is etched in the memory of cricket fans, with marathon innings that wore out the hosts’ bowling attack.

Is KL Rahul the Chosen One?

The responsibility of emulating Pujara’s role seems to rest on KL Rahul’s shoulders. The Bengaluru-born, without doubt, is a naturally-gifted stroke player and his talent is beyond question. However, his record in Australia raises concerns.

In five Tests Down Under, he has scored only 187 runs at an average of 20.77, with a solitary century in Sydney back in 2014. Recently, he came under fire for his inconsistent performances at home, which has kept critics busy.

Despite these challenges, Rahul remains a key player in India’s plans. Why? Perhaps, his adaptability could be the key to unlocking his potential in Australian conditions.

Rahul is no stranger to playing gritty innings. While his natural style inclines toward aggression, he has shown glimpses of patience when the situation demands it. If he bats in the middle order as a pure batter, he might have the advantage of playing with the shine off the ball.

As a result, it could give him more time to settle at the crease, which might as well, help him adopt a more Pujara-like approach in terms of anchoring the innings and batting time.

More importantly, KL Rahul will have to resist the temptation to dominate bowlers from the outset. In Australia, batters tend to negate the bowling challenges after the initial few overs, especially on the first three days and Rahul must recognize the value of absorbing pressure early, even if it means curbing his natural instincts.

KL Rahul must be mentally prepared to grind, frustrate the opposition and hold the innings together. The classy right-hander has the technique and temperament to evolve into this role, but if he can embrace patience and put a price on his wicket, he can shut critics and cement his place in Indian Test cricket’s middle order.