Cheteshwar Pujara, the seasoned Indian cricketer, has once again showcased his exceptional batting prowess in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25. Representing Saurashtra against Chattisgarh in Rajkot, Pujara’s innings was nothing short of a masterclass, leaving spectators and cricket enthusiasts in awe of his skill and determination.
A Century to Remember
Pujara’s journey to his century was a display of patience and technique, as he reached the milestone off 197 balls. This remarkable feat helped Saurashtra surpass Chattisgarh’s imposing first-innings total of 578/7. The significance of this century cannot be overstated, as it marked Pujara’s 25th hundred in the Ranji Trophy and his 66th in first-class cricket. With this achievement, Pujara has now surpassed the legendary Brian Lara’s tally of first-class centuries.
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Double Ton Milestone
Not content with just a century, Pujara pushed on to convert his innings into a double hundred. He reached this impressive milestone in 348 balls, further cementing his status as one of India’s most reliable batsmen. This double century has propelled Pujara into an elite group of cricketers with the most first-class double hundreds. He now stands fourth on this prestigious list, behind only cricket icons Don Bradman, Wally Hammond, and Patsy Hendren.
Breaking Records
Pujara’s double ton in this match has equalled Paras Dogra’s record for the most double centuries in the Ranji Trophy, with both players now boasting nine such achievements. During this innings, Pujara also crossed the impressive milestone of 21,000 runs in first-class cricket. This accomplishment solidifies his position as one of India’s most prolific batsmen, placing him fourth among Indian players in terms of both runs scored and centuries made, following in the footsteps of cricketing legends Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid.
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Consistent Performance
Pujara’s current form is a continuation of his outstanding performance in red-ball cricket this year. In the previous Ranji Trophy season, he amassed 829 runs at an impressive average of 69.08 across eight matches. His form has been equally impressive this season, with six centuries already under his belt across 16 first-class matches, playing for both Saurashtra and Sussex in the County Championship.
Implications for Upcoming Series
With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia on the horizon, Pujara’s current form is a significant boost for the Indian team. His past performances against Australia have been crucial in India’s Test series victories, including being named Player of the Series in the 2018/19 series. Pujara’s last appearance for India was in the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2023.
