IND vs ENG: Watch - Cheteshwar Pujara Sends Message To BCCI Selectors With Terrific 243* Knock

Outcast Rajkot-born batter Cheteshwar Pujara who faced major backlash and an axe from the BCCI after India’s WTC Final loss against Australia in June 2023, has responded to his critics with a fantastic knock of 243 not out against Jharkhand in Saurashtra’s opening match of Ranji Trophy 2024 title defense.

Cheteshwar Pujara has been out of BCCI’s plans since last year after scoring a combined 41 runs across both innings of the all-important World Test championship finale at Kia Oval. He was also a part of the Indian team that lost the maiden WTC final as well against New Zealand in 2021.

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A spectacular 2⃣0⃣0⃣ in Rajkot from the Saurashtra batter! ??

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/xYOBkksyYt#RanjiTrophy | #SAUvJHA | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @saucricket | @cheteshwar1 pic.twitter.com/ofLZSf2qcl

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 7, 2024

The 35-year-old was India’s specialist batsman in Tests for the better parts of the last decade and was one of those Rahul Dravid-VVS Laxman-type batters who used to spend time on the crease for fun. Pujara is the last of that lineage who were specialists in the longest format and was never really dropped from the team since his debut in 2010.

Cheteshwar Pujara has toured with the Indian team in almost every part of the world but most importantly has scored runs even in difficult situations and conditions. But his exclusion was unfortunately done by the Rahul Dravid-led current Indian management in order to give the younger generations a chance.

The full-fledged transition of the Test team began in July when India toured to West Indies for a 2-match test series. But the team’s first main challenge came during the Test series in South Africa where the “next generation” faltered badly, resulting in India squandering another chance to breach the “Final Frontier”.

There are major doubts revolving around the futures of certain batters and India have not yet found a suitable replacement for Cheteshwar Pujara whose position was taken by a prodigy named Shubman Gill. But nonetheless, there could still be chances for the 35-year-old’s comeback if he puts up performances like he did today.

Can Cheteshwar Pujara Stage A Comeback If He Maintains Good Form In Ranji Trophy 2024?

Cheteshwar Pujara undoubtedly played a knock that resembles his original style and enigma. His vintage self was on total display as he took on Jharkhand’s bowling attack one by one, scoring 30 boundaries. What was more special was that Pujara was able to score a double hundred in Saurashtra’s home ground and kept the home team’s dominance intact after choosing to bowl first.

Jharkhand were bowled out by Saurashtra for just 142 with Chirag Jani registering headlining figures of 5/22 in 11 overs. Jani got the support of Captain Jaydev Unadkat, Aditya Jadeja, and Yuvrajsinh Dodiya who took the remaining wickets.

Then Cheteshwar Pujara complimented their bowling performances with his sensational 243-run knock to help Saurashtra post a mammoth 578. Opening batter Hardik Desai (85), Sheldon Jackson (54), Arpit Vasavada (68) and Prerak Mankad (104*) were the other stand-out performers.

But the one to watch out for was Pujara who will try to get back to the Indian team if he can ensure performances like this in the coming matches. Meanwhile, Jharkhand are currently trailing by 393 runs On Day 3 session 2.