'Thanks for making India proud' - Twitter elated as Cheteshwar Pujara hits double ton on Sussex debut

In the County Championship Division Two match between Sussex and Derbyshire, Cheteshwar Pujara struck a century, the first in first-class cricket in more than two years. In the second innings of the match, the Indian cricketer scored his maiden ton for Sussex, converted it into a double-ton, and marked his return after a low score of 6(15) in the first innings.

After Derbyshire declared their first innings at 505/8 in 133 overs, courtesy of Shan Masood’s double century and Wayne Madsen’s ton, Sussex players were sent packing for 174 runs in 56.3 overs, with Derbyshire enforcing the follow-on. But they bounced back in the second innings as they ended the final day with 513 runs on the board, at the loss of just three wickets. Pujara’s unbeaten knock of 201*(387) runs in the second innings was a crucial one for his side. He was well-supported by his skipper Tom Haines, who also scored a double century, finishing with 243 runs in 491 balls.

Pujara and Haines shared a partnership of 351 runs which helped their side to get back into the game. After abysmal performances in the past two years, Pujara was dropped from the Indian side after the Test series against South Africa. He was left out of the squad for the Sri Lankan series and saw a downfall in his annual contract.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Cheteshwar Pujara’s performance

#CheteshwarPujara shuts critics with double ton on #Sussex debut in the county championship. That's the best cricketing news today, outside the #IPL! https://t.co/OULwm280df

— Yeshwanth Kini (@YeshwanthKini) April 17, 2022

All I can say is, thanks for making #India proud and stamping on your skills as batsman with great authority. You've taken blows every now and then but your passion for cricket has blown us away. I wish you great success in cricketing arena #CheteshwarPujara

— Howdy_Tweeps (@Howdy_Tweeps) April 17, 2022

Well played #CheteshwarPujara. Congratulations @cheteshwar1 .👍👏 https://t.co/jEVzi2pVjW

— sanket Jawade (@sanketjawade143) April 17, 2022

Cheteshwar Pujara's Debut Match for Sussex in the County Championship:-

1st Innings – 6(15).
2nd Innings – 201*(387).

Partnership with Tom haines – 351

What a memorable debut for Cheteshwar Pujara for Sussex. Well played, Pujara. #CheteshwarPujara #CountyCricket2022 pic.twitter.com/hARCWhl5OG

— Kumar Gourav (@TheKumarGourav) April 17, 2022

@cheteshwar1 has scored a double century in the county in the middle of the IPL..Now it remains to be seen whether the selectors choose him for the remaining one test.#CheteshwarPujara #CountyCricket2022

— Vipin Singh (@iamvipinsingg) April 17, 2022

So good to hear @cheteshwar1 notch up a double century in county cricket. @SussexCCC must have enjoyed a master class👏#CheteshwarPujara

— Reema Malhotra (@ReemaMalhotra8) April 17, 2022

#Pujara #CheteshwarPujara #Cricket #India #IndianCricket https://t.co/SceDzW8m7l

— Huda Mohammad (@HudaTaibah) April 17, 2022

Sorry, what? Hanuma Vihari to replace Pujara?
Well, Cheteshwar Pujara is NOT FINISHED YET!
Scored a century on his Sussex debut! You can't put the backbone of the test side to an abrupt end. He is a wall and has countered the criticism with a century!! #CheteshwarPujara pic.twitter.com/977MvHXzOA

— Shubham🇮🇳 (@LoyalNCTFan) April 17, 2022

Amazing Stellar performance from @cheteshwar1 playing for @SussexCCC in the very first match. A double ton letting the world know his calibre and announcing his claim for selection for 1 off test against England.@BCCI #CheteshwarPujara #pujara pic.twitter.com/46k0zbuzYu

— Tejas sharma (@Tejassharma98) April 17, 2022

Double hundred by #CheteshwarPujara 👏🏻

— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) April 17, 2022

Cheteshwar Pujara was dropped from the Indian side before he joined the County cricket

The last time Pujara scored a century was for Saurashtra back in January 2020 in the Ranji Trophy against Karnataka. His last Test century came in the year 2019 when India faced Australia in Sydney. In the recent game, Sussex ended the day scoring 513/3 (f/o) as the match ended in a draw.

It was Pujara’s debut game for Sussex. He has previously represented teams Derbyshire, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. Pujara was one of India’s permanent players until recently. The team kept backing him, alongside Ajinkya Rahane, even after they displayed poor form in the Test format.

In 95 matches, Pujara has 6713 runs to his name, with his highest score being 206*. Pujara holds 18 centuries, three double centuries, and 32 fifties to his name in the longest format of the game.