Former India batter, Mohammad Kaif recently praised Cheteshwar Pujara's outstanding double century via X (previously known as Twitter), highlighting the out-of-favour batter's commitment as an example for budding cricketers. Pujara, a seasoned Indian batsman, commenced his domestic season with an exceptional performance in the Ranji Trophy 2024. Playing against Jharkhand, he scored an impressive 243* not out, contributing significantly to Saurashtra's dominant total of 578/4 declared in Rajkot.
"Regardless of what the national selectors think of him, Pujara keeps scoring runs. His commitment should be a lesson for all youngsters playing the game," Kaif wrote on X.
Pujara's current status sees him outside the Indian Test team, having last played in the 2023 World Test Championship Final. His absence extended to the Test series against South Africa, and his chances of rejoining the squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against England appear slim.
Despite this, Pujara's innings against Jharkhand marks his 61st first-class century, placing him as the fourth-highest century-maker from India in first-class cricket. He follows cricket legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, and Rahul Dravid in this achievement.
Pujara's dedication to the first-class format has been unwavering. He played a pivotal role in the Ranji Trophy 2023 final, leading Saurashtra to victory. His international cricket career has been marked by numerous iconic innings. In 2023, Pujara celebrated his 100th Test cap during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Notably, his performance in the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy was particularly heroic, as he helped India clinch a remarkable victory over Australia, despite the team not being at full strength.
Kaif's acknowledgment of Pujara's commitment and resilience serves as a testament to the latter's enduring dedication and skill in the sport. Aspiring cricketers can indeed draw inspiration from Pujara's journey, which exemplifies the importance of perseverance and commitment in achieving sporting excellence, even in the face of challenges.
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