ODI opportunity knocks for Pujara

Batsman Cheteshwar Pujara is eager to succeed in an Indian ODI squad minus several first-choice players during next month's brief tour of Bangladesh.

Batsman Cheteshwar Pujara is eager to succeed in an Indian ODI squad minus several first-choice players during next month's brief tour of Bangladesh.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the talented Virat Kohli, openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammad Shami have been excluded for the brief three-match affair, which will precede an important tour of England.

The left-handed Suresh Raina has been named skipper in the absence of the rested Dhoni and Kohli. The uncapped batsman Kedar Jadhav and spinner Akshar Patel, meanwhile, have received call-ups – and the in-form Robin Uthappa a recall.

"Hopefully, I will get a game this time. It is a good opportunity for all the young players who are part of this tour. Playing against Bangladesh in their home conditions won't be that easy. Bangladesh is a good team. We have a young side so it will be competitive," said Pujara.

Spinning all-rounder Parvez Rasool, too, is in line for a debut – and the talented Wriddhiman Saha or Uthappa will keep wicket. The matches will be played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka on 15, 17 and 19 June.

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