Cheteshwar Pujara last 20 Test innings: The Indian batter scored a hardworking half-century at Edgbaston today.
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India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has celebrated his Test comeback with a hardworking half-century coming in a manner which he is fondly known among his fans.
Opening the batting for the ninth time in Test cricket, Pujara hadn’t even faced a ball when opening partner Shubman Gill (4) was dismissed in the first over itself by veteran England pacer James Anderson. Not affected by the same, Pujara remained unbeaten to guide India to 125/3 in 45 overs at Stumps, Day 3.
Known for qualities like grit and determination, Pujara once again portrayed as to why his resolute intentions aren’t easy to breach. Not taking risks like the best batters in this match, Pujara’s orthodox approach saw him scoring 50* (139) with the help of five fours today.
It wasn’t until the last over of the day that Pujara stepped out to hit a Joe Root delivery on the leg-side to run a single and complete a well-deserved half-century. In what is his 33rd Test half-century, it is his 14th away from home, seventh against England, fifth in England, third as an opener and second in 2022.
Cheteshwar Pujara last century in Test cricket
With India leading by 257 runs, expect them to bat for at least half of the fourth day before declaring their innings. Pujara, who hasn’t scored a Test century for over three years now, would be eyeing one tomorrow.
As far as Pujara’s last Test century is concerned, it had come during 2019’s New Year’s Test against Australia when the right-hand batter had scored a match-winning 193 (373) in Sydney.
UPDATE: Pujara scored his 19th Test century against Bangladesh in Chattogram after 52 innings and almost four years since the aforementioned innings.
Cheteshwar Pujara last 20 Test innings (updated on December 16, 2022)
Since the second Test of India’s tour of England 2021, Pujara has batted in 20 Test innings scoring 701 runs at an average of 36.89 including a century and five half-centuries. Numbers which one doesn’t associate with Pujara, the 34-year old batter has started in an affirmative note after being dropped from the squad for a home Test series against Sri Lanka earlier this year.
