Cheteshwar Pujara 100th Test: Border Gavaskar Trophy – It has been a decade since Cheteshwar Pujara made his Test debut for India. From Motera Masterclass to Brutal Brisbane the right-hander has played many memorable match-winning knocks for the team over the years. Pujara will be playing his 100th match in Delhi starting February 17. Ahead of the IND vs AUS 2nd Test at Feroz Shah Kotla lets check out Pujara’s top 5 knocks. Follow India vs Australia LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN
Cheteshwar Pujara 100th Test: From Motera Masterclass to Brutal Brisbane, Check Pujara’s top 5 knocks ahead of Landmark Test – Check out
1. 202 vs Australia (2017) in Ranchi
In the third Test against Australia in Ranchi during the 2016-17 series, Pujara went on to play the longest Test innings in terms of balls by an Indian. Australia’s batting first posted 451 runs on the board courtesy of fine centuries from Steve Smith (178) and Glenn Maxwell (104).
Pujara rising to the challenge remained at the crease for 672 minutes facing 525 balls in his marathon innings. He thus became only the first Indian ever to face more than 500 balls in a single innings of a Test match. Despite Pujara’s heroics with the bat, the match ended in a draw.
It was an honour to meet our Hon. Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji. I will cherish the interaction and encouragement ahead of my 100th Test. Thank you @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/x3h7dq07E9
— Cheteshwar Pujara (@cheteshwar1) February 14, 2023
2. 56 vs Australia (2021) at The Gabba, Brisbane
The injury-hit Indian team conquered the fortress by beating Australia at Gabba and winning the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The main architect of the match was Pujara as his 56 runs knock set up the team’s victory. After being asked to chase 328 runs by Australia India looked like crumbling under the pace and bounce of the Australian bowlers.
However, Cheteshwar Pujara held his end and stitched together a valuable partnership of 114 runs with Shubman Gill to steady India’s innings. The right-handed batsman even took body blows during his vital knock. In the end, riding on half a century from Rishabh Pant, India managed to beat Australia.
Cheteshwar Pujara 100th Test: From Motera Masterclass to Brutal Brisbane, Check Pujara’s top 5 knocks ahead of Landmark Test – Check out
3. 50 vs South Africa at Johannesburg, 2018
After failing to score runs in the first four innings of the South Africa tour, Pujara’s vital half-century helped India clinch Johannesburg Test. The right-handed batsman took 179 balls for his half-century laying the foundation for India’s historic win in the rainbow nation. Besides Pujara Indian pacers Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah also played a vital part by picking up five wickets.
4. 206* vs England (2012) – Motera, Ahmedabad
The 24-year-old’s marathon knock against England in 2012 was his maiden double hundred. Courtesy of his knock India declared their first innings on 521 for 8 at Motera. Pujara became the sixth Indian batsman to hit a double century against England.
He also joins an elite club of Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Sunil Gavaskar, Gundappa Viswanath, Vinod Kambli and Rahul Dravid to achieve the feat. Pujara has also etched his name in the list of Indian batsmen who have the highest score in their first appearance against England.
5. 153 vs South Africa in Johannesburg
In his second tour of South Africa, Cheteshwar Pujara stood like a rock for India in the second innings in Johannesburg. Coming into bat at No 3 Pujara played a marathon knock. In the second innings, Pujara and Virat Kohli put on over 200 runs for the third wicket, with the former caressing 21 boundaries during a 270-ball knock.
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