Cheteshwar Pujara is fast becoming the batting mainstay of this team. After playing an important role in the first two Tests where he bailed the team out of difficult situations, he once again proved his worth by scoring a century in the second innings of the last Test against New Zealand at Indore.
With the Indian team needing some quick runs to get maximum time to win the match, the right-handed batsman played according to the situation and scored his eighth Test century in only 147 balls. The stunning innings was studded with 9 fours. With three half-centuries and one century in three matches, Pujara is now the leading run-scorer in the series with 373 runs.
Gautam Gambhir also played a quickfire knock of 50 to help India get some quick runs. The Indian declared after scoring 216 runs in the second innings taking an overall lead of 474 runs.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Pujara’s brilliant knock:
8th Test century for @cheteshwar1 followed by a declaration for India. #NZ need 475 runs to win #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/mT3vRoG32w
— BCCI (@BCCI) October 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/StarScoreINFO/status/785749122653487104
https://twitter.com/StarScoreINFO/status/785749120036270084
https://twitter.com/AllTimeBakchod/status/785748938410254336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/emceeaarjay/status/785749119088242688
https://twitter.com/hankypanty/status/785751183675822080
Very nice from @cheteshwar1. Icing on the cake. Been a good series for him.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/lovelyyy300/status/785751164474253312
There was a sense if inevitability about a @cheteshwar1 century so good has been his form this series. Terrific show by Indian batsmen again
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) October 11, 2016
Most runs in series for Pujara. Could have won Man of series, but Ashwin inscribes his name on that trophy before start of series these days
— cricBC (@cricBC) October 11, 2016
Shifted gears swiftly…played a different brand of cricket. Did what the team wanted. Reward–8th Test ton. Well played, Che Pujara #INDvNZ
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/SirJadejaaaa/status/785751777572298752
(148) least no. of ball taken by Pujara to reach his century. #indvsnz #NZvIND
— MARSHALL (@_EMIname_) October 11, 2016
Great end to test series @cheteshwar1 .Masterpiece innings.#INDvsNZ
— Sri Harsha Akshintala (@SAkshintal) October 11, 2016
Great batting display by @cheteshwar1
Wonderful century with a great strike rate!!#IndVsNZ #IndianCricket— Rahul Chamaria (@IamRChamaria) October 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/MrPaulArnab/status/785752421091774464
A perfect reply to the critics who question @cheteshwar1's technique and strike rate. Who needs these when u r in such sublime form!
— Prasanjeet (@prasan19) October 11, 2016
https://twitter.com/UrsMB/status/785751777702318081