Cheteshwar Pujara breaks 70-year-old record scoring his 12th double hundred in Ranji Trophy

Indian top order batsman Cheteshwar Pujara notched up a swashbuckling record by smashing yet another double hundred in first-class cricket. While playing for Saurashtra in the Round 4 of the Ranji Trophy he scored his 12th first-class double hundred. In the process, he surpassed Vijay Merchant and became the owner of most double hundred by an Indian in first-class cricket.

On the second day of their Ranji Trophy match against Jharkhand, Pujara resumed his inning on 125 and surpassed Merchant’s record of 11 double hundreds by hitting 28 boundaries in his 204 off 355. Now, in the list of Indians with most numbers of double hundreds Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar and Vijay Hazare are jointly in the third position with 10 double hundreds each.

Pujara’s return to form is a good sign for India

Since India’s tour of Sri Lanka, the No.3 batter has not been in good touch. Though he scored two centuries in the Emerald Island, he had a disappointing country stint with Nottingham where managed to score only 98 runs. Meanwhile, in the first two outings in the Ranji Trophy, he scored 35 and 13 which left a wrinkle on the forehead of the selectors.

But, on Wednesday, he defied all odds and got back his rich form with an unbeaten hundred which he converted into a double century. His 12th double ton helped Saurashtra declare its first innings on 553/9. Eventually, Pujara’s innings came to an end when Shahbaz Nadeem got his wicket.

Before Pujara broke Merchant’s record it was untouched for 70 years. Meanwhile, their most consistent batsman’s return to form is also a good sign for Team India ahead of the three-Test series against Sri Lanka at home starting November 16.

In world cricket, the record of most number double hundreds in FC cricket is held by Sir Don Bradman who has 37 such tons to his name. In the 2016-17 season, he scored five centuries and a double hundred against Australia. Pujara scored two consecutive hundreds against New Zealand.

Most double hundreds for India in first-class cricket: