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Veteran India batter Cheteshwar Pujara, who was not a part of the national Test squad for the recently-concluded tour of South Africa, delivered an outstanding performance in Ranji Trophy by scoring a double century in Saurashtra's opening match against Jharkhand. Pujara, a seasoned Test specialist, was left out of the team following a disappointing performance in the World Test Championship 2023 final against Australia.
However, he made a resounding statement with his bat, scoring a remarkable double hundred for Saurashtra against Jharkhand on Day 3 of the ongoing Ranji Trophy match at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, which took place on Sunday, January 7.
This formidable innings from the right-handed batsman couldn't have come at a more crucial time. Reports suggest that the Ajit Agarkar-led Indian selection committee is due to announce the squad for the first two matches of the forthcoming five-match Test series against England on the same day. Pujara's impressive knock could potentially lead to his recall to the national team, especially considering the struggles of Indian batsmen to score heavily in South Africa. His experience might be a valuable addition to the lineup, facing the upcoming challenge against England.
Pujara, who had previously played a pivotal role in India's historic Test series victory in Australia in 2018-19, showcased his skill and endurance at the crease. He faced a total of 317 deliveries, hitting 25 boundaries in his innings. Pujara reached his double century with the first ball of the 144th over of Saurashtra's innings.
This achievement marks his 14th double century in first-class cricket and his sixth in the Ranji Trophy, underlining his prowess and consistency in the longer format of the game. His performance in this match could be a key factor in determining his return to the international arena, particularly in the context of India's upcoming Test engagements.
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