WTC Final 2023: Cheteshwar Pujara: IND vs AUS – Centuries keep coming for India’s Mr dependable Cheteshwar Pujara as he slammed third century for Sussex in just four matches in the ongoing second-division County Championship. Pujara’s scintillating form is a massive boost for team India ahead of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2023 against Australia set to be played at Oval. With Rohit Sharma-led side being hit with injuries, the onus will be on Pujara to carry the team’s batting on his shoulders. By the looks of the veteran’s form, Australia might have started devising a plan to stop Pujara. Follow WTC Final 2023 Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
WTC Final: Record breaker Pujara crosses 19000 runs in First-Class cricket, becomes just the sixth Indian to get to the milestone
With his fourth century against Worcestershire, Pujara also crossed 19000 runs in first-class cricket. He became just the sixth Indian to achieve this incredible feat. The right-hand batter has now joined legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid VVS Laxman, and Wasim Jaffer in the elite list. Pujara slammed his first Test century after two years against Bangladesh, but had a mediocre Border Gavaskar Trophy against Australia amassing just 140 runs from four games.The veteran batter is back with a bang, and has found his mojo in the County circuit.
Pujara is also leading Sussex and is enjoying the prospect of playing alongside Steve Smith. When quizzed on what will it be like playing against Smith in WTC Final Pujara replied to it will be mixed feelings. “We will be playing the WTC final, so it will be mixed feelings. On the field, we always have good battles, but off the field, we are good friends.”
Pujara’s love affair in County cricket has continued since 2022 when the right-hand batter scored a jaw-dropping 1094 runs in 13 innings at an average of 109.40 slamming five hundreds. It was due to Pujara’s blitz in the County that he was recalled in the Test team in 2022. Now, Pujara is the vice-captain of the Test team and a key player in the batting line-up alongside Rohit and Virat Kohli. The WTC Final will begin from June 7-11 at the Oval in England. This is the second straight appearance for India in the finals, while it is first time Australia have entered the final of WTC.
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