India vs England: Ajinkya Rahane backs the batting style of Cheteshwar Pujara

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Chennai, February 12: Former cricketers including Ricky Ponting had questioned Cheteshwar Pujara's slow approach during the Australia tour but India Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane backed the batsman and said Pujara knows his role and game.

Pujara registered his slowest fifty in Test cricket during the third Test against Australia and Ponting had said the batsman's slow batting created an unwanted pressure on the non-striker who had to compensate for his slow approach. Rahane backed Pujara's playing style and said his role is very important and crucial for the Indian team.

"No one questioned his approach (slow) about his batting in the team and that's what matters. What people talk outside doesn't matter to us. We know Pujara's role and how crucial he is for our team and we are really happy with the way he played in Australia and the way he is playing right now. His role very important for us and we back him completely on how he wants to play. He knows his game really well. he has played 80 odd Test matches. No one questioned his ability or how he played in Australia," said Rahane during the virtual press conference.

India all-rounder Axar Patel has recovered completely and is now available for selection for the second Test. "Everyone is in the mix, the good thing is Axar is fit to play. See all our spinners are really good and if given a chance I'm sure they will do really well," said Rahane.

Since Axar is available for selection for the second Test the All-India Senior Selection Committee withdrawn Shahbaaz Nadeem and Rahul Chahar from the main squad and added the duo back to the group of standby players.