Cheteshwar Pujara's patchy form continues as the Test specialist was sent to the pavilion for a golden duck on the opening Day of the Boxing Day Test in Centurion against South Africa. Pujara was dismissed by Lungi Ngidi caught at short leg as the star batter took the long walk back in the second session at the Supersport Park on Sunday (December 26).
With his 9th duck in Tests at no.3, Pujara set an unwanted record as he left behind Dilip Vengsarkar's tally of 8 ducks while batting at no.3 for India.
It was also Pujara's second golden duck in the longest format of the game with the first one coming 3 years ago at the same venue in South Africa.
Most ducks for India at no.3 in Tests
Cheteshwar Pujara - 9 ducks
Dilip Vengsarkar - 8 ducks
Rahul Dravid - 7 ducks
Mohinder Amarnath - 6 ducks
Ajit Wadekar - 5 ducks
The out-of-form Pujara had no time to settle into his innings as the first delivery he faced from Lungi Ngidi bounced a bit more than normal. The ball hit the pad and then the pad before lobbing up in the air. Substitute fielder, Keegan Pietersen, dived forward to take a fine catch.
Lungi Ngidi got two wickets in as many balls as he broke a 117-run opening stand, which was between KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal, getting the wicket of Mayank. He then removed Pujara as South Africa got back into the contest after a sedate start with the ball. Notably, Virat Kohli won the toss and opted to bat on an overcast morning in Centurion
Pujara is under the pump to retain his place in the Test XI as he has not scored a century in Tests in his last 42 innings, which is sadly an Indian record for batsmen at No.3.
He had mustered just 95 runs in two Tests against New Zealand at home earlier this year but he was picked for the series opener in South Africa along with another out-of-form Ajinkya Rahane, who was sacked as vice-captain in the lead up to the tour.
