Cheteshwar Pujara’s 15th Test century: India’s No. 3 walked a lonely path to turn the tables for his team.
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During the second day of the fourth Test of the ongoing Pataudi Trophy between England and India at The Rose Bowl, Southampton, Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara registered his 15th Test century in difficult circumstances to prove his mettle as a Test batsman.
Been not included in the playing eleven in the first Test, Pujara found form in the last Test at Trent Bridge when he scored his 18th Test half-century. In an even more testing situation here, Pujara defeated the odds to reach to this milestone.
Such kind of an innings hasn’t been anything new for a batsman of Pujara’s stature for he has played toiling innings like these in the past as well. The way he does it time and again determines the character of the 30-year old right-hand batsman from Saurashtra.
Playing his second tour in England, this is Pujara’s first Test century on their soil. Overall, it is his fifth against them. It is also his fifth away Test hundred. Having hit his last century against Sri Lanka at Nagpur in November last year, this is his first century this year.
Reacting on the same on Twitter, a plethora of people were overjoyed after watching Pujara play with such sense of purpose, determination and grit. Numerous people were wax lyrical about his innings, comparing him to many previous greats of the game.
The fact his hundred came after his captain and India’s most dependable batsman Virat Kohli got out speaks a lot about its importance to the team. After limited support from Kohli, Pujara received almost no resistance from the other batsmen, who were mostly involved in a quintessential batting collapse.
Watch how Twitter reacted on Pujara’s first century in England:
Fantastic, selfless innings from @cheteshwar1 . Has single handedly kept India in the game with his resilience and determination.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 31, 2018
Fantastic, selfless innings from @cheteshwar1 . Has single handedly kept India in the game with his resilience and determination.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 31, 2018
Always admired Pujara. The admiration has grown today
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 31, 2018
An exceptional knock under pressure from Pujara. Feel delighted for him and he has ensured India stay in the game. Really top knock @cheteshwar1
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 31, 2018
This Pujara innings is a rediscovery of himself, whether he gets to a century or not. Admirable application, several marvellous strokes
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) August 31, 2018
Thanks for keeping the old school Test cricket alive. Well played, Pujara. Well played. 🙌😊🏏👏🇮🇳#engvind
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) August 31, 2018
Take a bow Cheteshwar Pujara what a century India really needs dis extraordinary innings #ENGvIND
— PD (@PankajD_90) August 31, 2018
#INDvENG so very heartening to see #Pujara #cheteshwarpujara scoring a ton. These role plays provide the much needed breather to #ViratKohli . Definitely Match on .. other surprising feature was #RishabhPant scoring knot of 29 balls.
— SuMiT BaTRA (@batrasumit01) August 31, 2018
What a thrilling test it has been so far..!!
fascinating cricket by #Cheteshwarpujara and equally fascinated seeing the pundits praising him now…#IndvsEng— Arvind Subramanian (@arvindsrk) August 31, 2018
#Cheteshwarpujara standing tall amidst the ruins..what a knock !! This new wall always reminds me of #thewall #indvseng #Southampton
— suchitra bhardwaj (@suchitra15dec) August 31, 2018
Cheteshwar Pujara is fighting a lone battle, and fighting it well! 💪🏻
This is a hundred he will be proud of! 🙌🏻#KyaHogaIssBaar #ENGvIND LIVE on SONY SIX and SONY TEN 3. #SPNSports
— jαck ѕpαrrσw 🇮🇳 (@RaazHero2) August 31, 2018
Then Rahul Dravid
Now Cheteshwar Pujara
lone warrior ❤️ @cheteshwar1 (new wall)— Aakash Goyal (@aakashgoyal91) August 31, 2018
@SPNSportsIndia Cheteshwar Pujara a lone warrior..well played👏 #ENGvIND #KyaHogaIssBaar
— Shakira.J (@ShakiraJumani) August 31, 2018
Cheteshwar Pujara take a bow ❤️
Player of the day. #ENGvIND 🇮🇳— Joanny Bert Gomez Jo (@joannybert) August 31, 2018
Cheteshwar Pujara’s “Dont-you-ever-drop-me again knock!
— Clayton J Murzello (@ClaytonMurzello) August 31, 2018
Cheteshwar Pujara, you beauty! An innings of class, elegance, patience to bring up his 15th Test ton. An underrated cricketer, he’s ensured India don’t waste their bowlers’ efforts in this game. After a long time a Pujara ton, then. Well done! #ENGvIND
— S. Sudarshanan (@Sudarshanan7) August 31, 2018