Cheteshwar Pujara hits Bazball style century in Ranji Trophy 2024 amid IND vs ENG Tests

Continuing his fine run in the Ranji Trophy this season, Cheteshwar Pujara, on Saturday (February 17), scored a brilliant century for Saurashtra in their ongoing game against Manipur. Incidentally, the match is taking place in Rajkot where Team India are currently playing against England in the third Test.

Batting first, Manipur were bowled out for just 145 runs in their first innings. Captain Langlonyamba Keishangbam (67) and 0pener Al Bashid Muhammed (51) scored the fifties but their efforts were not enough for Manipur to post a big total.

Apart from them, no other Manipur player could even reach the double-digit mark with the bat while six players could not even open their accounts. For Saurashtra, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja picked up four wickets while Chetan Sakariya claimed three wickets.

With the bat, Saurashtra declared their innings on 529 for 6. They were reeling at 35 for 2 before captain Arpit Vasavada (148) and Prerak Mankad (173) scored centuries to put their team on top. Cheteshwar Pujara then scored a century in just 102 balls to put Saurashtra firmly in the driver’s seat. He remained unbeaten on 108 off 105 balls with the help of 12 fours and a six.

HUNDRED FOR PUJARA FROM JUST 102 BALLS…!!!

63rd hundred in First Class cricket, 3rd in this Ranji Trophy season, the run machine for Saurashtra – What an absolute beast in longer format. 👌 pic.twitter.com/eizgUqSZHZ

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 17, 2024

Cheteshwar Pujara eyeing comeback:

Cheteshwar Pujara has not played for Team India since last year. His last appearance in international cricket came in the World Test Championship final against Australia in June 2023. And while he is unlikely to earn a recall from the selectors any time soon, he has still not given up on his hopes of representing the country again.

“My proudest moment was to represent the Indian team. There is a pride when I walk out to bat for India, there is nothing bigger than that. That feeling that you can win games for your country, that you can make the difference – call it X-factor or a player who will fight for the country to win a game, there is no greater feeling than that on earth.

“Whenever the opportunity to play for India comes, I will be ready to play with that passion and pride that’s needed and with which I have always played. That will never change,” Cheteshwar Pujara recently told the Indian Express.