Cheteshwar Pujara Plays Bazball in Rajkot, Slams 108 in 105 Balls To Send Timely Reminder To Team India

cheteshwar pujara plays bazball in rajkot ranji trophy hundred reminder to team india vs england

Cheteshwar Pujara showcased his class once again with a dominant century for Saurashtra in their Ranji Trophy encounter against Manipur at the Sanosara Cricket Ground ‘A’. His 63rd FC hundred laid the foundation for a strong Saurashtra total on day one, reminding everyone of his enduring skills and hunger for runs.

But what was most interesting was Pujara’s approach to the innings as he carted the bowlers all over the park. Pujara, known for his resolute batting and marathon innings, smashed 10 fours and a six as he reached his century in 102 balls. He was finally dismissed for 108 off 105 balls, but that was not before he had hit a dozen boundaries and a solitary six.

Beginning his innings, he carefully assessed the conditions, playing with patience and precision. He defended diligently when needed, but never shied away from punishing loose deliveries, finding the boundaries with elegant strokes.

As the innings progressed, Pujara grew in confidence, upping the tempo and showcasing his wide array of shots. He reached his century in style, dispatching a delivery to the ropes, and received a well-deserved ovation from his teammates and the smattering of fans present.

His knock of 100 not only put Saurashtra in a commanding position but also served as a timely reminder of his form and temperament. With the crucial Test series against England ongoing and India lacking experience in the middle order, Pujara’s hundred sends a strong message, assuring fans that he can be a vital cog in the Indian batting line-up.

While the match against Manipur might be a far cry from the high-pressure environment of Test cricket, Pujara’s hundred holds significant value. It demonstrates his unwavering focus, ability to adapt to different bowling attacks, and hunger for runs, regardless of the level of competition.

With Virat Kohli out and injury concerns for KL Rahul, speculations were rife that BCCI could recall veteran Cheteshwar Pujara for the final three Tests vs England. Pujara has been in magnificent form in the Ranji Trophy 2024, scoring over 600 runs, with a couple of big hundreds. However, the selectors didn’t fall back on the talismanic batter and instead opted for Devdutt Padikkal.