India’s Test specialist Cheheshwar Pujara is back in the news after his charismatic show in the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season. Cheteshwar Pujara smashed a double ton for Saurashtra in the opening clash against Jharkhand.
After his double ton, former Indian player Mohammad Kaif took to Twitter to praise Cheteshwar Pujara. Mohammad Kaif said Pujara’s commitment to football is a lesson for all youngsters.
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Mohammad Kaif praises Cheteshwar Pujara for his double ton in Ranji Trophy
Playing his first match of the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season, Cheteshwar Pujara smashed a double ton in the clash against Jharkhand. After his magnificent knock, cricketer-turned-commentator Mohammad Kaif praised him. In X, Kaif said that Cheteshwar Pujara’s engagement should be a lesson to all youngsters.
“Regardless of what the national selectors think of him, Pujara continues to score runs. His commitment should be a lesson to all youngsters who play the game,” Kaif wrote on X. Check out the tweet below.
Whatever the national selectors think of him, Pujara continues to score runs. His commitment should be a lesson to all young people who play this sport. #pujara pic.twitter.com/Py3cFlJJs5
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 8, 2024
Talking about the Jharkhand vs Saurashtra match, Jharkhand was bowled out for 142 in the first innings. Later, Cheteshwar Pujara stormed to an unbeaten double ton of 243 runs off 356 balls with 30 boundaries.
With his knock, Saurashtra reached a mighty total of 578-4 in the first innings. In the ongoing game, Jharkhand is 183 runs behind after reaching 253-3 in the second session of the second innings.
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Cheteshwar Pujara disappeared after 2023 WTC final
Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara has been missing from India’s Test team for quite some time. He last played in the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2023. However, after India’s loss in the match, the Gujarat player was dropped from the Test side.
He was also absent from the West Indies and South Africa Test series. He was a regular one-chance batsman for India in the Tests following his overthrow. However, it is worth noting that Pujara has also returned to the Test side in the past.
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India to face England in 5 Tests
Notably, India will take on England in a five-match Test series at home starting January 25. The IND vs ENG Test series will continue till the second week of March 2024. Therefore, Pujara can return to the series after his consistent show in the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season.
India recently drew the test series against South Africa 1-1. India lost the opening match against South Africa by a wide margin of an innings for 32 runs. However, Rohit Sharma & Co. bounced back by winning the second clash by 7 wickets.
With 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in 4 matches, India is second in the points table of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25. Team India has a winning percentage of 54.16 and trails Australia, the leader of the table.