Former Indian Test batter Cheteshwar Pujara has backed Rahul Tewatia to learn his lessons in the ongoing IPL 2026. The Gujarat Titans left-hander has been a hit and miss in the ongoing season but Pujara defended the batter, stating playing the finisher role at number six or seven is not an easy job in T20s.

Tewatia was earlier dropped from the playing XI after inconsistent performances but the team has once again backed him in the last couple of games. The southpaw has scored 92 runs in nine innings at an average of 30.67 and a strike rate of 133.33.

Pujara said on Star Sports, “It’s tricky for someone walking in at No.7 and 8, which is the toughest position to bat in T20s. So he will learn his lessons. He has been dropped from the team as well, but now he’s part of the playing 11. So he has worked on his game. He should be looking to bat 10 to 15 deliveries, as that’s when he ends up getting 30 to 40 runs.”

Pujara highlighted that Tewatia struggles when he has time on his sleeve whereas he has more clarity when he has lesser balls to face.

“When he walks into bat is important. If he walks in at the 10th or 12th over, there is a lot of time. That’s where he struggles a bit. If he walks in after the 15th over, then he has a lot of clarity in his batting, and that’s when he is most dangerous. He has impressed a couple of times this season. So he’s getting into his rhythm and scoring runs now.”

Pujara, the former Indian number three Test batter, said Gujarat Titans will have the home advantage against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

“GT will have the advantage of playing at home. Their seamers give them the edge over SRH. It won’t be easy for SRH to win at Ahmedabad, especially because SRH’s record away from home isn’t great. The Ahmedabad track will be tough for Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. GT’s overall bowling unit is stronger than SRH’s, giving them the edge,” said Pujara (via the aforementioned source).

GT is in third place in the IPL standings with seven wins and four losses.