Cheteshwar Pujara is making himself hard to ignore for Indian selectors for white-ball squad. Pujara smashed his third century in the ongoing Royal London One-Day Cup as Sussex’s captain. Pujara did not just score a century in his typical fashion but with a highly impressive strike rate to make his case for the ODI team.
Coming to bat at no.4 in the 18th over of the innings, Pujara scored 132 runs from 90 deliveries. The veteran Saurashtra batter hit 20 fours and 20 sixes in his innings and scored at a strike rate of 146.66. He shared a 240-run partnership for the third-wicket with opener Tom Alsop.
Against Middlesex, Pujara started in his typical fashion and played himself in. He got to his half-century from 49 deliveries. Later, he got to his century from just 75 deliveries. He got out in the 47th over of the innings in an attempt to clear the mid-wicket boundary against Max Harris. Max Holden took the catch in the deep to end an entertaining knock from the 34-year-old.
Bevanesque average
The quickfire 132 also helped Pujara reach 5,000 runs in List A cricket in his 109th innings. Now, he has an average of 57.49, only second to legendary Australian finisher Michael Bevan (minimum 5,000 runs). Bevan has an average of 57.86 in the format.
Closing in on no.1
So far, Pujara has scored 614 runs from 8 innings in the tournament at an average of 102.33 including three centuries and two half-centuries. He is only behind Middlesex skipper Stephen Eskinazi, who has scored 645 runs from seven innings.
Currently, Sussex are at the top of the Group A table with five wins from seven games. A win against Middlesex will ensure they stay on top.
Alsop remained unbeaten for 189 to help Sussex post a daunting total of 400/4. He carried his bat after facing 155 deliveries including 19 fours and five sixes.
