Cheteshwar Pujara Scores His 13th Double Hundred in First-Class Cricket, Achieves Feat During Saurashtra vs Karnataka Clash in Ranji Trophy 2019–20
By breaching the 100-run mark, Pujara brought up his 50th century in First-Class cricket and became only the ninth India to go to the prestigious landmark. At the end of first day’s play, the 31-year old was unbeaten on 162. He continued to traumatize the opposition bowlers in the second day as well and went on to muster his 13th double-ton in First-Class cricket.
India’s modern-day wall Cheteshwar Pujara put on a splendid batting show during the Saurashtra vs Karnataka match in Ranji Trophy 2019-20. Coming to bat at number three in the first innings, the number-six ranked Test batsman didn’t put a foot wrong and went on to play a marathon knock. Pujara scored 248 runs off 390 deliveries and his guided Saurashtra to a massive first-innings total of 581/7. The likes of Shreyas Gopal and Jagadeesha Suchith were not able to pierce the rock-solid defence of the star batsman and all they faced was hammering. Virat Kohli Retains Top Spot; Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara Slip in ICC Test Rankings 2020.
By breaching the 100-run mark, Pujara brought up his 50th century in First-Class cricket and became only the ninth India to go to the prestigious landmark. At the end of first day’s play, the 31-year old was unbeaten on 162. He continued to traumatize the opposition bowlers in the second day as well and went on to muster his 13th double-ton in First-Class cricket. Well, India’s 2020 Tour of New Zealand is around the corner and Pujara’s sensational innings must provide a huge relief to the team management.
Speaking of the match, Sheldon Jackson (161) was the other centurion for Saurashtra while Prerak Mankad made a runner-ball 86 to guide his side to a massive total. In reply, Karnataka got off to a dismal start as teenage sensation Devdutt Padikkal bagged a golden duck and at stumps on Day 2, they were struggling at 13/1 with Ravikumar Samarth (6) and Ravikumar Samarth (7) being the two batsmen to be present on the crease. The duo will eye to rescue their side on the Day 3 of the clash while Jaydev Unadkat and Co will look to put the foot on the paddle and strengthen Saurashtra's grip over the encounter.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 12, 2020 08:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).