Days after being left out of India’s Test selection for the upcoming West Indies series, Cheteshwar Pujara struck a century during the Duleep Trophy quarterfinal. Pujara, who didn’t receive much assistance from other batsmen, produced a valiant century to aid West Zone in recovery. On Day 3, Pujara resumed batting after reaching a score of 50 the previous night, while West Zone continued to lose wickets at the other end.
Pujara, who is renowned for his tenacity and fortitude, fought valiantly for his side to put it in an advantageous position. When play in Alur was suspended due to rain, the talisman was batting on 133.
Cheteshwar Pujara against Central Zone
Pujara has struck 14 fours as well as a six in 278 balls faced thus far. He continued the innings with Sarfaraz Khan, who got out for 6 after failing to add to his overnight total. Het Patel attempted to help Pujara by scoring 27, but he got dismissed off Saransh Jain after failing to make a significant contribution. When the rain interrupted the game, Pujara held one end as well as scored significant runs for his side which put them in a dominant position that included a 383-run lead.
The talismanic batsman showed tenacity and faced 102 balls in the first innings as well, but he was removed for 28 by Shivam Mavi after failing to score significantly.
He made the most of his chance in the second innings, scoring a superb century to tie Vijay Hazare’s total of 60 for the most first-class centuries for India. He is currently fourth on the illusive list, barely after Rahul Dravid (68), Sachin Tendulkar (81), and Sunil Gavaskar (81).
Pujara was previously dismissed from India’s Test squad due to his lacklustre performance against Australia during the World Test Championship Final. He was fired after posting low scores in both of his innings because the Indian Cricket Board wanted to give the young players, Yashasvi Jaiswal as well as Ruturaj Gaikwad, a chance to play in the West Indies tour.
Fans react to Cheteshwar Pujara scoring century in Duleep Trophy semi-finals: –
June 23rd – Cheteshwar Pujara dropped from the Indian Test team.
July 7th – Cheteshwar Pujara scored a terrific hundred in the Duleep Trophy Semi.
What a great return for Puj!!! pic.twitter.com/FmWU4ORTev
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 7, 2023
But there is no comeback now.
— Zizou (@ZizouInFCB) July 7, 2023
BCCI is preparing for next WTC cycle, he should be hired as a Test Coach or a mentor.
— Sunderdeep – Volklub (@volklub) July 7, 2023
Kya fayda, century toh county me b mari thi. jb india k liy chahiye thi knock tb toh unorthodox shot khel di?
Pujara must watch his own BG series 2021 videos— ????? (@twenty4hourr2) July 7, 2023
Pujara can continue playing domestic cricket..
His time for Test cricket is gone…
— Vinay Kumar Dokania (@VinayDokania) July 7, 2023
His drop is not justified specifically when he had a prolific county season with so many hundreds to his name. #unfortunate
— Saurabh Agrawal (@saurabhagrawals) July 7, 2023
Submitting assignment after due date
— Shivani (@meme_ki_diwani) July 7, 2023
If it’s not in intl cricket, it doesn’t count my friend. Easier to smash a ton against some local bowlers averaging speed of 125 but it’s a different thing when it’s against top quality Australian attack zipping through the air on green pitch instead of a dead rubber in India.
— MK ? (@MMKapadia) July 7, 2023
Pujara also scored runs in County cricket in last few months but what happened in WTC final we all have seen that toh faltu ki bakchodi mt kiya kr mallu bsdke
— YUG? (@yug_bidlan) July 7, 2023
Pujara scored runs in County cricket in England before the WTC final ..but what did he do in the WTC final? Played an unnecessary shot which was never expected from him. I have lost faith in him. We need to move on with a youngster in the playing XI.
— Mahesh (@mahesh_kr43) July 7, 2023
Scoring centuries in non-tests are very easy now for che. The problem is in this only.
— RAMA RAO (@ramarao23) July 7, 2023
we let him play for english counting cricket during the IPL. he stayed there for at least 3 months before the WTC. he scored many hundreds as well. But the rest is history ?
— MSD (@kya_ukhaad_lega) July 7, 2023
