Cheteshwar Pujara is an Indian cricketer and an integral part of the Indian test team. Born in Rajkot, he is known for his disciplined batting style and temperament required to play long and stable innings. He has represented India in over 100 tests, scoring over 7000 runs, including 19 centuries. In this article, we will have a look at the top ten test knocks by the veteran right-hander.
1. 135 Vs England
Pujji’s 135-run knock came against England at the Wankhede Stadium in November, 2012. Coming out to bat at no. 3, he faced 350 balls and hit a dozen boundaries to achieve this feat. He played a slow yet composed innings, having a strike-rate of just above 35. His ton helped India cross the 300-mark in their first innings. However, India lost the match.
2. 143 Vs Srilanka
Pujara scored yet another test ton, this time against neighbours Srilanka at the Vidarbha Cricket Stadium, Nagpur in November, 2017. He played another stable knock off 362 balls, striking at just around 39. His relatively slow innings comprised just 14 boundaries. His century, along with top contributions from Vijay, Kohli and Rohit Sharma helped the hosts post a mammoth 610 runs in their first innings and eventually win the match by a huge margin.
3. 145* Vs Srilanka
The veteran batsman’s 7th test century came against Srilanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo in August, 2015. In the first innings of the match, he came out to bat as an opener and scored an unbeaten knock of 145 runs off 289 balls. This was another of his slow, steady and composed innings with him having a strike-rate of just about 50. This knock, which comprised 14 boundaries helped the Indians cross the 300-mark in their first innings and also helped his team win the test. Pujara was awarded the Man of the Match award for his scintillating batting.
4. 153 Vs South Africa
In the first test of the series between India and South Africa at the Wanderers in December, 2013, Pujara scored his sixth test century in the second innings of the match. After scoring just 25 in the first innings, he played a brilliant knock of 153 in the second. His knock came in 270 balls and comprised 21 boundaries. He helped India cross the 400-run mark in the second innings. The match ended in a draw.
5. 153 Vs Srilanka
The right-hand batsman was in sublime form against Srilanka at Galle in the first test of the series in July, 2017. Coming out to bat at no. 3, he faced 265 balls and scored 153 odd runs to strengthen the Indian innings. He had a strike-rate of just above 50, as he hit the ball to the fence 13 times. His prolific batting, along with Dhawan’s 190 helped the visitors post 600 in the first innings and eventually win the match as well.
6. 159 Vs New Zealand
Pujji’s first-ever test century came against the Kiwis in August, 2012 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. He faced 306 balls to reach this milestone, striking 19 fours and even a six in this innings. Thanks to his ton, India posted 438 in their first innings and also won the match by an innings and 115 runs.
7. 193 Vs Australia
Cheteshwar Pujara came very close to his fourth test double-century at the Sydney Cricket Ground against the Aussies when the two giants locked horns in the fourth test in January, 2019. He faced 373 balls in this innings, hitting 22 boundaries before being dismissed by Lyon just seven runs short of his double-century. However, this important knock helped the visitors post 622 in their first innings and also earned him the Man of the Match award.
8. 202 Vs Australia
The Indian top-order batsman got to his third test double-century against the mighty Aussies in March, 2017 at Ranchi. In reply to Australia’s first innings total of 451, Pujara played a slow and steady innings to help India establish a first-innings lead. His 202 came in 525 balls, and comprised 21 boundaries. He had a strike-rate of just around 33. However, his knock turned out to be quite vital as India posted 603 runs in their first innings. The match ended in a draw and Pujji was adjudged the Man of the Match.
9. 204 Vs Australia
Hyderabad witnessed yet another outstanding knock from the veteran right-hander in the second test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in March, 2013. Coming out to bat at no. 3, he played this fine knock in 341 balls, sending the ball to the boundary line as many as 30 times and hitting a huge six as well. Thanks to his perfect innings, India established a huge first-innings lead and won the match by an innings and 135 runs. Pujara was once again awarded the Man of the Match for his brilliant batting.
10. 206* Vs England
Pujara’s first-ever test double-century came against a strong English side at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad in November, 2012. Coming out to bat at no. 3, he never put a foot wrong as he scored an unbeaten 206 in 389 balls. He also hit 21 boundaries in his innings and had a strike-rate of just over 50. His scintillating knock enabled the hosts post a mammoth 521 runs in their first innings. India won the match and quite naturally, Pujara was awarded the Player of the Match award.
