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[Watch] Cheteshwar Pujara Puts Strong Case For Test Comeback With 236* In Ranji Trophy

image-lr36a1faCheteshwar Pujara (x.com)

Out-of-favor Cheteshwar Pujara completed a majestic double-century against Jharkhand in Saurashtra’s opening match of the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season. The Indian batting veteran made his way to the crease at Rajkot’s Saurashtra Cricket Stadium on the second morning, and remained unbeaten at 157 by stumps.

While the innings marked his 61st first-class century, the cricketer converted it into a double ton the following morning by racing to the landmark figure from 317 balls.


Pujara knocks selection doors with double-ton

Cheteshwar Pujara, who played the last of his 103 Tests for India back in June 2023 at The Oval, jumped back to the national reckoning with a marvellous double century against Jharkhand in the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season.

The prolific right-handed batsman even raced to 236* from 352 balls by the time of Lunch on Day 3. His 200-plus partnership with Prerak Mankad propelled Saurashtra past the 500-run mark, as they extended their first-innings lead over Jharkhand by more than 400 runs.


Watch: Cheteshwar Pujara reaches double-century

Cheteshwar Pujara returned with scores of just 14 and 27 in his last Test appearance, where Team India slumped to a 209-run pasting at the hands of Australia at the 2021-23 World Test Championship (WTC) final.

His prolonged lackluster run with the bat eventually led to his exclusion from India’s subsequent Test tours of West Indies and South Africa.

In a bid to regain his lost touch with the bat, Pujara penned a multi-season deal with Sussex prior to the 2022 English County Championship.

After his sublime start to the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season, the 36-year-old might well receive a surprise call-up to the Indian squad for their upcoming Test matches.