Watch: Cheteshwar Pujara Gets Rousing Reception From Teammates, Opposition And Fans After SCG Masterclass
Jan 4, 2019 at 10:23 AM
Sunil Gavaskar in West Indies in 1970-71, Rahul Dravid in England in 2002, Virat Kohli in Australia in 2014-15 are examples of some series where the aforementioned players made an everlasting impression with their stunning batting displays. And Cheteshwar Pujara is doing something similar in the ongoing Test series against Australia.
The right-handed batsman scored an epic 193 in the ongoing fourth Test in Sydney to once again put India on top in the series. The ton was Pujara’s third of the series and arguably the best of the three. He started the series with a fighting knock of 123 in Adelaide before scoring 106 in Melbourne as India won both the game. But his latest knock is perhaps the best of the lot.
Pujara came out to bat early once again after KL Rahul departed for just 9. From thereon, Pujara never looked in trouble as he helped India get on top of the contest. Australia finally managed to see his back after a lapse in concentration saw him offering back an easy catch to the bowler. It ended a heroic knock on a disappointing note as Pujara missed his well-deserved double-ton by just seven runs.
But the reception he received would have soon made his forget about the setback. Everyone in the stadium stood and applauded as Pujara made his way back to the dressing room.
Here is a clip of that proud moment:
WICKET: Pujara out for 193. A fine innings comes to an end.
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Pujara, meanwhile, joined an elite list . which includes the likes of Virat Kohli and batting great Sunil Gavaskar. He is now one of the few visiting batsmen to have scored three or more centuries in a series in Australia. Pujara has emulated Alastair Cook, Michael Vaughan, Chris Broad, Gavaskar, Eddie Barlow and Jack Hobbs by scoring his third century. Notably, Virat Kohli, Wally Hammond and Herbert Sutcliffe have scored four tons in a series in Australia.
He also became the fifth Indian batsman after Rahul Dravid (1203 in 2003/04), Vijay Hazare (1192 in 1947/48), Virat Kohli (1093 in 2014/15) and Sunil Gavaskar (1032 in 1977/98) to face more than 1000 balls in a Test series in Australia.