IND vs ENG LIVE: India vs England 5th Test Live: Cheteshwar Pujara has made his opportunity count. After being dropped for poor performance from the Test series against Sri Lanka, the veteran has made a fine comeback. In the 2nd innings, it was a classic Pujara, soaking in all the pressure as he reached his 33rd half-century off 139 balls. He will have an opportunity to end his century drought on Day 4 when he resumes. Follow India Tour of England Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Pujara endured a barren run with his average plummeting below 30. Since January 2021, Pujara managed just eight half-centuries in 32 innings, averaging 29.10.
IND vs ENG LIVE: Cheteshwar Pujara makes opportunity COUNT with gritty FIFTY on COMEBACK, will he end CENTURY drought? Follow Live Updates
But on Sunday, he was at his bravest best. He faced a barrage of bouncers, took the body blows from James Anderson and Stuart Broad, soaking up the pressure. He had to play in his usual style as India lost Shubman Gill in the first over of 2nd innings and Hanuma Vihari soon after, leaving India at 43/2.
With Virat Kohli also struggling with form, Pujara brought out his Sydney & Brisbane avatar. While it was by no means his slowest half-century, it was one of the slowest knocks. But Rahul Dravid will be happy to have him back at his best his knock put India in the driver’s seat at Edgbaston.
IND vs ENG LIVE: Cheteshwar Pujara makes opportunity COUNT with gritty FIFTY on COMEBACK, will he end CENTURY drought? Follow Live Updates
With 257-run lead already in the bag, India will aim to add 150 more and declare to bowl out England in four sessions. With 150+ 4th innings target achieved only thrice, England will need to have a record chase to win the Test. The highest successful run chase at Edgbaston stands at 283 when South Africa chased the target back in 2008.
But with plenty of sunshine predicted on Day 4 and 5, the spin will come into play. Ravindra Jadeja will be rolling up his sleeves to spin a web around England in the 4th innings.
IND vs ENG LIVE: Cheteshwar Pujara makes opportunity COUNT with gritty FIFTY on COMEBACK, will he end CENTURY drought? Follow Live Updates
A calm, composed and gritty Fifty, just the way #Pujara loves 😌
Can he go big and put #TeamIndia in the driver’s seat? 🤝🏽Tune in to Sony Six (ENG), Sony Ten 3 (HIN) & Sony Ten 4 (TAM/TEL) – (https://t.co/tsfQJW6cGi)#ENGvINDLIVEonSonySportsNetwork #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/jd83OfOYEF
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 3, 2022
However, the burning question on Day 4 will be Cheteshwar Pujara’s century. The Saurashtra batter hasn’t scored a Test hundred in over three and half years or 1278 days. The last time he got an international hundred was back in January 2019 against Australia in Sydney when he scored 193.
IND vs ENG LIVE: Pujara’s century drought
- The last time Pujara scored a Test century was back in January 2019 against Australia.
- It has been three and half years or 1278 days since his last Test ton.
- While in between he has scored centuries in Ranji Trophy and in County cricket, a Test ton is missing.
- After he was dropped from India’s Test squad, Pujara played in Ranji Trophy and in County cricket to get his form back.
- It was in County cricket where he finally shone. He scored two double hundreds and two centuries for Surrey.
- His performances brought him back to the Team for England.
- On Monday, he will aim to shed that and get to his 19th Test TON.
IND vs ENG LIVE: Cheteshwar Pujara makes opportunity COUNT with gritty FIFTY on COMEBACK, will he end CENTURY drought? Follow Live Updates
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