Twitter Reactions: Cheteshwar Pujara continues sensational run in County after hitting third double ton of season

While the Indian team traveled to the shores of West Indies for their white-ball series, India’s batting starlet in the Test match arena, Cheteshwar Pujara, smashed a stunning double century for Sussex against Middlesex on his captaincy debut in County cricket on Wednesday, 20th of July.

The Indian bulwark has registered his third double century this season, becoming the first Sussex player to achieve this feat after 118 years. Pujara announced himself in County cricket with a double century against Derbyshire and followed it with another three-figure score against Worcestershire before hitting another fabulous double ton against Durham. The middle-order batter has been in sensational touch in County cricket and is the third leading run-scorer this term with five three-figure scores in seven outings.

Talking about his innings, Sussex were in a bit of trouble early on after losing two wickets before crossing the hundred-run mark. That is when Pujara joined hands with Tom Alsop at the crease and the pair stitched a magnificent 219-run stand for the third wicket. The latter was dismissed after scoring 135 runs. The Indian batter though continued on his merry way and reached the historic milestone in 368 deliveries, showing tremendous restraint and concentration in the middle. He was dismissed after a marathon innings of 231 runs as Sussex were bundled out for 523 runs on the scoreboard.

Cheteshwar Pujara is relishing the responsibilities of a captain for Sussex

The 34-year-old was announced to lead the Sussex side after regular skipper Tom Haines sustained an injury that ruled him out for 5-6 weeks. He becomes the first Indian cricketer to score a double hundred in County cricket while captaining a side. His double century is also the highest score by an Indian batter against Middlesex, surpassing Virender Sehwag’s 130 against the same opposition in 2003, playing for Leicestershire.

“Pujara was very keen to step up in the absence of Tom, he sees the potential in this side and has been a natural leader ever since he joined. Puj is a vastly experienced and qualified person who I know will do a fantastic job,” Susses head coach Ian Salisbury had said before the clash against Middlesex.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Pujara’s feat