It Is Special: Cheteshwar Pujara On His First T20 Ton
Cheteshwar Pujara (Credits: Getty Images)

‘It is special’ is what Cheteshwar Pujara said after leaving many surprised with a stunning T20 century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Thursday.  In a generation where the majority of the players are desperate to make a name for themselves in T20s, Pujara has been an exception by mile. He is one of the very few batsmen who still bat in the old and traditional way and rely on singles to keep the scoreboard moving. Unsurprisingly, he has gone unsold in the last few auctions of the Indian Premier League.

However, the Saurashtra star has shown he can deliver in T20s too. He scored his first T20 century during Saurashtra’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy opener against Railways at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. The right-handed batsman also became the first Saurashtra batsman to reach the three-figure mark in the T20s. Pujara reached his hundred off 61 balls, hitting 14 boundaries and a six.

It Is Special: Cheteshwar Pujara On His First T20 Ton
Cheteshwar Pujara (Credits: BCCI)

Pujara also became only the fourth Indian batsman after Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, and Mayank Agarwal to score a triple century in first-class cricket, 150-plus score in List A and a T20 century.

Speaking about his knock, Pujara said he is not all surprised with it. Calling the ton special,  the India Test star feels his good form in Tests is helping him deliver in other formats too.

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“It is special. This was expected because I have done well whenever I have got the opportunity in white-ball cricket. I am not surprised by this century, but I am sure many people are. I knew this one would come at some stage in my career, and this is the right time. I have been really batting well. Good form in Test cricket can help you bat well in shorter formats. It helps you get into good positions, you pick the ball early so I am really happy,” Pujara told ESPNcricinfo.

It Is Special: Cheteshwar Pujara On His First T20 Ton
Cheteshwar Pujara (Credits: Getty Images)

Pujara’s effort, however, went in vain as Railway came up with a brilliant effort to chase down 188.

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