Cheteshwar Pujara Joins Gavaskar, Tendulkar & Dravid In An 'Elite' Batting Record
Cheteshwar Pujara has completed 20,000 First-Class runs.(x.com)
In a remarkable display of resilience and class, Cheteshwar Pujara, the seasoned Indian batter, has etched his name in the annals of cricket history by surpassing 20,000 runs in First-Class cricket. The 35-year-old achieved this monumental feat during the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024 clash between Saurashtra and Vidarbha at the VCA Stadium.
Pujara, playing in his 260th First-Class match, entered the game requiring 96 runs to reach the 20,000-run milestone. With a slow yet steady 137-ball 66, he accomplished the landmark and played a pivotal role in steering Saurashtra to a position of dominance against Vidarbha.
His 87-run partnership with Vishvarajsinh Jadeja proved crucial before he fell leg before off Harsh Dubey, contributing to Saurashtra's total of 244 runs, at the time of writing this piece Vidarbha was at 26/1 and requiring an additional 355 runs to secure victory.
This achievement places Pujara in elite company, making him the fourth Indian cricketer to breach the 20,000-run mark in First-Class cricket, joining the ranks of Sunil Gavaskar(25,834), Sachin Tendulkar(25,396), and Rahul Dravid(23,794).
Known for his ability to perform under pressure, Pujara showcased his batting skills in both innings of the match. He partnered effectively with the tail-enders in the first innings, scoring 43 runs off 105 balls. In the second innings, he played a fine knock of 66 runs off 137 balls, featuring 10 boundaries.
Pujara's impact extends beyond the domestic circuit, with a stellar Test career accumulating 7,195 runs in 103 matches at an average of 43.60. He boasts an impressive record of 19 centuries and 35 fifties in the longest format of the game. Despite being dropped from the Test setup last year, Pujara's legacy remains intact, with his remarkable 17 double-centuries in First-Class cricket standing as the joint-fourth-most in history.
Despite his prolific record, Pujara was dropped from the Test squad last year as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) focuses on building a team for the future. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been promoted to open with Rohit Sharma, while Shubman Gill now occupies Pujara's spot at number three.
On a final note, Pujara played his last Test match for India during the Australia vs India series at The Oval in June 2023.
 "Sumit Gupta")
