- Cheteshwar Pujara’s Masterclass In Ranchi:
In the third Test in Ranchi, Cheteshwar Pujara played a marathon of an innings against Australia, as he brought up his Test career’s third double hundred (202) and second against Australia on day four of the third Test which later on turned out to be a draw.
In 77.4 overs Pujara put on a crucial partnership for seventh-wicket with wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha of 199 at the run-rate of 2.56, after India was 328 for six in 115.4 overs when Saha came to bat.
The right-handed batsman Pujara was dismissed when India’s score was 527 in 193.2 overs, but the damage was half-done, after Australia’s first innings total of 451.
Scripting history, Pujara had spent 672 minutes on crease while facing 525 balls – to become first Indian batsman, who had faced 500 deliveries in the longer version of the game. Pujara surpassed legendary Rahul Dravid, who had faced 495 deliveries against Pakistan in Rawalpindi during the first innings of the third Test in 2004.
Pujara’s epic knock was embedded with 21 boundaries. However, he was slower on the strike-rate which was 38.47.
However, Dravid had spent 745 minutes on the crease to post 270 on board at the strike-rate of 54.54. His marathon innings was laced with 34 boundaries and a solitary six.
The 29-year-old Pujara proved why he is the most sought-after batsman while showing the great focus and resilience on field with the bat.
On the other hand, Pujara had put on 405 runs during the recently concluded four-Test series.