Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two current India mainstays, are well behind Pujara’s 66 red ball hundreds. Rohit only has 29, whereas Kohli has 36.
A castaway player has reminded his class as the debate and conversation around India’s Test team continues after their 46-all-out defeat at the hands of New Zealand. In the Ranji Trophy, 36-year-old Cheteshwar Pujara hammered a double century for Saurashtra against Chhattisgarh. Pujara became the Indian batter with the joint-highest number of double-hundreds with his eighth double-century in first-class cricket. In an elite group that only includes the great Indian batsman Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, and Sunil Gavaskar, he got a little closer to Dravid.
Pujara became the fourth-highest Indian on that list with his double century, his 66th in red-ball cricket. Rahul Dravid, who has 68, is just two hundred runs behind him. With 81 first-class hundreds, Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar are in first place.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two current India mainstays, are well behind Pujara’s 66 red-ball hundreds. Rohit only has 29, whereas Kohli has 36.
Saurashtra was able to draw the match thanks to Pujara’s 234 after Chhatisgarh amassed 578. He hit 25 fours and a six to reach 383 runs.
Pujara tied Paras Dogra as the Indian cricketer with the most double hundreds, bringing his total to nine.
Even though he isn’t popular with India’s Test players, Pujara still exudes style in the local lineup. In a home Test match against Australia in June 2023, Pujara made his final appearance for India.
Pujara reminded the selectors of his quality before the arduous five-match Test series against Australia in November and December. India has won Australia’s last two Border-Gavaskar series thanks mainly to Pujara.
In the meantime, India plans to play two more Test matches against New Zealand to overcome the series’ 1-0 disadvantage.
Often referred to as India’s “modern-day wall,” Cheteshwar Pujara continues to hold a unique role in the history of Indian cricket. Pujara, renowned for his formidable tenacity, has accomplished a stunning milestone that puts him just behind Sachin Tendulkar and ahead of modern greats like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He is one of India’s most reliable batters in Test cricket because of his consistent patience and sound technique throughout his career.
This article will discuss Cheteshwar Pujara’s accomplishments, his role in the Indian Test team, and the implications of this achievement for his legacy.
The Cricketing Journey of Cheteshwar Pujara
Childhood and the Origins of Cricket
Cheteshwar Pujara was born in Rajkot, Gujarat, and was raised in a cricketing household. Cheteshwar was raised to be a cricket player from a young age by his father, Arvind Pujara, a former Ranji Trophy player. Even as a young child, his strong technique and discipline were apparent, which paved the way for his ascent in Indian cricket.
The Challenges and Triumph
Pujara has both success and setbacks in his early career. His skill was always undeniable, but a string of injuries temporarily stopped his development. But when he successfully returned to domestic cricket, his perseverance and hard work paid off. The national selectors were impressed by his Ranji Trophy efforts, and he made his Test debut against Australia in 2010.
Pujara’s Function in India’s Test Team
An Essential Part of India’s Batting Order
Cheteshwar Pujara has been the mainstay of India’s Test batting order for more than ten years. Pujara, frequently compared to Rahul Dravid regarding temperament and skill, has been the mainstay of India’s numerous significant Test wins, especially in complex international settings.
Pujara’s Collaboration with Leading Batsmen in India
Pujara’s job is equally significant even though his style differs from that of more aggressive players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Pujara’s role has been to develop partnerships, wear down opposition bowlers, and absorb pressure while they attack. India’s success, particularly in Test cricket, has been primarily attributed to the balance in their batting lineup.
The Historic Performance: Before Rohit and Kohli
Pujara’s Most Recent Test Cricket Achievement
Cheteshwar Pujara has achieved a remarkable feat by surpassing Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in a major Test cricket statistical milestone. Pujara has outperformed these contemporary cricketing titans due to his consistency, especially in the lengthier format, demonstrating his tenacity and dependability in the Test setting.
Why This Feat Is So Outstanding
Given that Rohit and Kohli are considered among the best batters of the contemporary era, this achievement is noteworthy. Over the years, Pujara has quietly flourished in the Test format, amassing runs with consistent accuracy, while Rohit and Kohli have triumphed in shorter formats. He has gained this prestigious position because he persevered through challenging circumstances.
Behind Sachin Tendulkar: The Making of a Real Legend
Comparing the Record of Sachin Tendulkar with Pujara’s feat
Pujara still lags behind the great Sachin Tendulkar, the most incredible run scorer in Test cricket history, despite surpassing Kohli and Rohit in this category. But the fact that Pujara is even linked with Tendulkar speaks much about his extraordinary accomplishments and status as one of the greatest cricketers in Indian history.
The Heritage Pujara is Creating
Even while Pujara doesn’t always make the news like some of his more colourful teammates, his accomplishments are just as noteworthy. Even though his style is more conventional, Pujara’s unwavering approach has shown that patience and technique are still valuable in contemporary cricket at a time when T20 cricket is all the rage.
The Difficulties and Achievements of Cheteshwar Pujara Career
Overcoming Criticism and Injuries
Pujara’s career has been challenging despite his accomplishments. He has frequently been criticized for his poor scoring pace, and early injuries threatened to ruin his career. However, he has repeatedly shown his detractors wrong by turning in game-winning performances at pivotal times.
Noteworthy Performances on International Tours
Pujara’s ability to perform well in foreign settings, where many batters from the subcontinent typically struggle, is one of his most notable traits. His contributions to India’s success overseas, particularly in Australia and England, have solidified his status as a vital member of the team’s foreign Test winning squad.
The Importance of Cheteshwar Pujara Contributions to Indian Cricket
Test cricket’s significance for India’s success
Pujara’s accomplishments serve as a reminder of the value of Test cricket in a world where limited-overs cricket is becoming increasingly popular. His contributions to India’s supremacy in Test cricket, especially in recent years, demonstrate the importance of having a player who can sustain the team through difficult times and grind out innings.
As an Inspiration to Young Cricket Players, Cheteshwar Pujara
Pujara’s career is a potent lesson in tenacity, self-control, and determination for young cricket players hoping to reach the top. Future generations of cricket players can learn from his work ethic and style of play.
Experts and Fans Respond to Pujara’s Feat
Social Media Talk About Pujara’s Significant Event
As word spread about Pujara’s incredible accomplishment, fans were jubilant on social media. Many praised his ability to perform reliably in the Test format. They regarded him as one of the hidden heroes of Indian cricket.
Experts in Cricket on Pujara’s Legacy
For his contribution to Indian cricket, Cheteshwar Pujara has also received recognition from cricket analysts. He is regarded as a respected person in the cricketing community because of his composed manner and capacity to withstand pressure. Numerous former players have underlined Pujara’s importance to India’s success in Test cricket during the previous ten years.
In summary
Cheteshwar Pujara remarkable commitment to the game is demonstrated by his overtaking Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in this important Test milestone, with Sachin Tendulkar trailing him just. He is one of India’s most crucial Test cricket players because of his tenacity and capacity to perform well under trying circumstances. It is impossible to overstate Pujara’s influence on the development of Indian Test cricket, as he builds on his legacy.