Comeback hungry Cheteshwar Pujara notches terrific Ranji century, completes 21,000 runs in First-Class cricket

India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has been out of the national team since the World Test Championship 2023 Final against Australia. The 36-year-old cricketer, however, hasn't yet given up on the hopes of making an India comeback, as he brought up his A game on Day 4 of the second round match in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25, being played at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot.

Hitting a boundary towards the long on region, the batter completed his century. This was his 66th first class hundred, and came off 197 balls. During this milestone, Pujara achieved an even bigger feat, as he breached the 21,000-run mark in his first class career.

Playing beautiful drives and glances all throughout his unbeaten knock, Pujara scored runs all round the park to notch up yet another three-figure mark in first class cricket. The clash against Chhattisgarh saw Pujara come in to bat on the third day, as the opposition had smashed a mammoth total of 578-7d in the first innings. Chasing this mountainous trail, the ace batter took the onus upon himself to take Saurashtra as much close to the total as possible.

Coming in to bat at 3, his usual position, Pujara first partnered with Chirag Jani for a 68-run partnership. Upon Jani's dismissal, he was joined by pro wicketkeeper-batter Sheldon Jackson, where the duo put up 109 runs for the third wicket. Jackson, who had batted brilliantly for his 62, departed early on the fourth day, leaving Saurashtra in some trouble, as they still trailed by 388 runs.

Currently, southpaw Arpit Vasavada is alongside Pujara, and has managed to engage in a half-century stand with the latter. At the time of writing, the scoreboard for Saurashtra reads 271 for the loss of three wickets in 77 overs, and the team is still 307 runs behind. Ashish Chauhan, Ajay Mandal, and Shashank Singh have taken a wicket each for Chhattisgarh.

Most runs in First Class cricket by Indians

Pujara's hunger, grit and determination

In the previous edition of the prestigious Ranji Trophy tournament, Pujara was the third-highest getter with 829 runs, and the sensational start to the current season also grants him the hope to make a comeback into the Indian team once again.

Also Read: Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Ruturaj Gaikwad slams sensational century against Mumbai in Round 2

However, the competition is very tough, as the likes of Abhimanyu Easwaran have also batted well at the top order in domestic cricket.