India’s Test specialist, Cheteshwar Pujara has been making the most of his stunning form for Sussex, as he scored his fifth century in the ongoing County Championship. Against Middlesex, Pujara made a mockery of the opposition’s decision to field first on an extremely hot day by bringing up his fifth century in 10 innings. Pujara, Sussex’s stand-in captain finished the day unbeaten on 115 with the help of 10 fours and a six to take his team to 328/4 at stumps on Day 1.
Cheteshwar Pujara got some apt support from Tom Alsop, who also scored a century (135) as the duo put together a partnership of 219 runs. Following a century each against Worcestershire and Middlesex, and a double century against Derbyshire and Durham, Pujara registered his maiden hundred at Lord’s.
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The veteran batter walked out to bat at the fall of the second wicket and contrary to his nature, began aggressively attacking the bowlers. He scored fifty off 82 balls and smashed the first six of the matches to bring up the century partnership. Pujara cut, drove, and pulled his way to yet another First-Class century, slowly guiding his team to a solid position.
Here is the video of the knock from Cheteshwar Pujara:
Cheteshwar Pujara looking imperious today for his century 😤 #LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/mkDuLZ74Vx
— Vitality County Championship (@CountyChamp) July 19, 2022
Cheteshwar Pujara has become the third-highest run-getter of the tournament with 881 runs, behind Derbyshire’s Shan Masood and Ben Duckett of Nottinghamshire. It was due to his stellar form in the County Championship that helped Pujara to get back to the Indian squad after getting dropped following the tour of South Africa.
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Pujara, India’s No. 3, played the rescheduled fifth Test against England and scored an impressive 66 in the second innings, but India lost the game. During his knock, Pujara was up against his India teammate Umesh Yadav, with the pace bowler representing Middlesex.
At the end of Day 1, the first round belonged to Cheteshwar Pujara as Umesh remained wicketless for 42 runs. Pujara and Umesh had more India teammates playing in different County matches with Washington Sundar picking up four wickets on his Lancashire debut and Navdeep Saini claiming thee playing for Kent.
