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India’s veteran Test batter Cheteshwar Pujara has been often criticised for his traditional approach to Test cricket while the game has evolved. Pujara has tried to get rid of the image but in the process lost his place in the Test side. When he came out to bat against Manipur in Rajkot, the same city India are playing against England in the third Test, he brought out his attacking side smashing a century with a strike rate of over 100.
Vasavada takes up the anchor role
After bowling out Manipur for 142, Saurashtra made a few changes to the batting order. They lost two early wickets as opener Kevin Jivrajani and Sheldon Jackson fell cheaply. Opening the innings Harvik Desai missed his half-century by just two runs. Skipper Arpit Vasavada had a slightly attacking approach after playing himself in. On Day 2 of the game, Vasavda and Prerak Mankad were more attacking in their approach. They shared a 152-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Vasavda scored 148 runs from 197 balls including 18 fours and a six.
Pujara, Mankad hit centuries
Pujara walked out to bat when Saurashtra's score was 293/4. Usually, when he walks out to bat, there is a dire need to build a partnership. However, this time he had the license to go after the bowlers. Joining forces with Mankad, he attacked too. Pujara smashed as many as 12 fours and a six in his 108-run knock from 105 balls before falling to Ronald Longjam. He shared a 231-run partnership with Mankad. This was his 63rd first-class hundred.
Shortly after Pujara's wicket, Mankad tried to go for his double hundred but lost his wicket to Longjam. His run-a-ball 173 featured 19 fours and a six. Vasavada declared the innings for 529/6 as soon as Mankad was dismissed. The hosts had a 387-run lead in the bag.
Pujara’s long absence from Test squad
The 36-year-old with over 7,000 runs in Test cricket has not been picked in the squad since India's loss to Australia in the ICC World Test Championship final. Despite Virat Kohli pulling out, KL Rahul getting injured and Shreyas Iyer getting dropped due to poor form, Pujara was not recalled to the Test side for the ongoing five-Test series against England.
Pujara’s form in Ranji Trophy
Meanwhile, he has scored 781 runs from 11 innings at an average of 78.1 including three centuries and two half-centuries. His best score was of unbeaten 243 that came against Jharkhand in Saurashtra's season opener.
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