During the third day of the first Test match of India’s tour of Bangladesh 2022 in Chattogram, India vice-captain Cheteshwar Pujara put an end to a century-drought in international cricket on the back of scoring one after almost four years.
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Coming in to bat at No. 3 in the 23rd over, Pujara put together a 113-run second-wicket partnership with opening batter Shubman Gill (110) as the latter scored a maiden Test century. Following Gill’s dismissal in the 50th over, Pujara played a key role in an unbeaten 73-ball 75-run third-wicket stand alongside former captain Virat Kohli (19*).
Taking the mantle of brisk run-scoring upon himself towards the second half of his innings, Pujara was seen defying his own reputation to play several attacking shots. From dancing down the track to the spinners to hit them aerially to using the crease to cut and pull short deliveries to executing the sweep shot to perfection, Pujara surprised one and all with his intent on Friday.
Perhaps taking a leaf out of his form from County season 2022, Pujara hit 13 fours at a strike rate of 78.46 to put on a batting spectacle at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium. The right-handed batter seeming in total control to hit a Test century in 52 innings made him an instant source of amazement among fans.
In what was his 19th Test century, it was his 18th at No. 3, 14th in Asia, ninth away from home, first under KL Rahul (23), in and against Bangladesh. With Rahul declaring right after Pujara completed his century, India have set a mammoth 513-run target in front the hosts.
Cheteshwar Pujara fastest century
Pujara, who hit Bangladesh spinner Taijul Islam for a boundary to complete a personal milestone, did the same in just 130 deliveries to bring up his fastest Test century.
Fastest century in Test by Indian cricketer
As far as the fastest Test century by an Indian cricketer is concerned, former captain Kapil Dev still holds the record for scoring a 74-ball against Sri Lanka in Kanpur 36 years ago.
