The end of India's routine warm-up football game, on the eve of the 4th ODI game, saw Cheteshwar Pujara making a dash to his kitbag. The urgency in his stride reminded one of the trademark haste that opening batsmen of fielding sides show while rushing to the dressing room after the fall of the opposition's final wicket. Maybe, this was how India's Test No.3 was preparing himself for his new innings and a possible new role. Also read: A case for rotation
With the series already in Virat Kohli's back pocket, India are expected to take the field without those who have played a big role in helping the side take a 3-0 winning lead. Now, it's time to test their bench. This means Pujara, in all likelihood, will replace in-form opener Shikhar Dhawan at the top of the order and thus make his ODI debut. So Pujara walking out with Rohit Sharma at the start of the innings is a likely scenario at Bulawayo on Thursday. Also read: Highway stars
The Pujara-Rohit pair may be new for India's ODI side but the two go back a long way, having spent several hours on the pitch together pulverising bowlers. Having played most of their junior cricket together, the two were room partners during the 2006 Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka. After dominating the tournament on the strength of their batting, India lost the final to Pakistan.
Pujara finished as the highest run-getter of the tournament, Rohit was a few rungs down that ladder. All through the Cup, Pujara was the opener and Rohit followed him at No.3. Their spectacular show was to catch the eyes of the selectors but the two promising juniors took different paths at the senior level. Rohit was the first to get the India break as he made the ODI side. After a stunning debut, he faltered.
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