Ranji Trophy 2023-2024: Cheteshwar Pujara dominates Jharkhand with sensational 17th double ton

Veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara has been at the top of his game in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024 clash between Saurashtra and Jharkhand. Coming into bat in the first innings, Pujara completed a magnificent ton against the opposition and doubled it down by scoring a double century as well, his 17th in first-class cricket.

Batting overnight on a score of 157 runs, Pujara completed the 200 in the first session of Day 3 of the clash. After bundling Jharkhand out for just 142 runs in the first innings, Saurashtra followed it up by declaring on the score of 578 runs in the first innings with the loss of four wickets.

Pujara remained unbeaten with a score of 243* runs in 356 deliveries. The double ton meant that Pujara is now level with Herbert Sutcliffe and Mark Ramprakash on 17 first-class doubles and behind Don Bradman (37), Wally Hammond (36) and Patsy Hendren (22) overall.

Trailing by 407 runs, Jharkhand will look to put in a good performance, minimise the deficit, and hopefully put on a lead as well. 

Pujara’s double ton increases hope for India return

Cheteshwar Pujara’s brilliant double century in the ongoing edition of the Ranji Trophy could increase the veteran batter’s hopes of making it back into the Indian Test team. The last Test Pujara played for India was back in June 2023, which was the World Test Championship final against Australia, in which he was unable to perform to the best of his abilities.

Since then, the Indian team has played four Test matches, two each against the West Indies and South Africa. Cheteshwar Pujara was not selected in any of those Test matches but was quite active in domestic tournaments, playing for Sussex in the county and for his state in the Irani Trophy as well. Notably, Team India are slated to take on England in a five-game Test series starting from January 25 in Hyderabad, and after Pujara’s heroics for Saurashtra, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) will have their heads turned in Pujara’s direction.