Veteran India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has continued to pile on runs in the ongoing edition of the Ranji Trophy. While playing against Rajasthan in the group stage of the tournament, Pujara hit a stunning century on Day 1 of the First Class game. The batter scored 110 off 230 balls and put the defending champions in a strong position as they closed the day with 242 runs for the loss of 4 wickets.
Saurashtra were in trouble early in the innings after losing three wickets for just 74 runs before Pujara and Sheldon Jackson (78*) bailed the team out with a 168-run stand. This was Pujara’s second hundred of the domestic season, having scored 243* in the team’s first match against Jharkhand. The veteran India player continued to bang the doors of the Indian team ahead of the squad announcement for the last three Test matches against England.
The Indian middle-order has looked jittery against England in both Test matches. Apart from the individual brilliance of Shubman Gill (2nd Test), KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, the middle order has not really come together. It is expected that cheif selector Ajit Agarkar along with Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, will have a deep look at India’s batting troubles.
India captain Rohit Sharma had said that the team had a look at the older stars but had decided to stick with the young team. That might change in the third Test match due to various factors of injuries and performances.
That would bode well for Pujara who has scored – 243*, 49, 43, 43, 66, 91, 3, 0 and 110 this season. The batter also has created milestones of his own in terms of centuries and overall runs in First Class cricket.
India are expected to announce their squad for the last three Test matches by Sunday, 11 February. It is expected that Virat Kohli will extend his break, while KL Rahul will return to the side after recovering from his quadricep injury. Jasprit Bumrah is expected to be rested in either the third or the fourth Test match of the series.