Cheteshwar Pujara Smashes Hundred for Sussex on Captaincy Debut


image-lg6rg1k3Cheteshwar Pujara celebrating after a century [Souce-Twitter]

Veteran Indian Test No.3 Cheteshwar Pujara continued his love-affair with the County Championship on Friday as he racked up his 6th century for Sussex [in 14 innings] in the ongoing Division 02 fixture against Durham at Hove.

Pujara, who was appointed captain of Sussex ahead of the season, once again proved to be the bedrock for his county, creaming a 133-ball hundred with typical grit and eye-catching strokeplay.

Durham scored 376 in the first innings and in reply, Sussex lost their top-3 at the score of 86, and when Jonathan Bushnell sent back Tom Clark (4) five runs later, the onus fell on captain Pujara to dig them out of troubled waters.

And, just as he had done throughout the 2022 summer, the Indian international took the innings by the scruff off its neck with intent-laden batting.

Pujara was particularly punishing every time a Durham bowler- whether it was a pacer like Brydon Carse or Australian SLA Matt Kuhnemann- dished out short.

The Indian No.3 used the upper-cut against the pacers really well, and against Kuhnemann, he'd rock back and pull him in front of the square.

Pujara was ably helped by Oliver Carter, who scored a 96-ball 41, in a valuable 112-run stand for the 5th wicket.

Pujara brought up his century with a sumptuous on-drive followed by a square-cut-off Brydon Carse in the post-Tea session.

But, his job looks far from done as Sussex have endured another collapse with back-to-back dismissals of Carter and George Garton.

At the time of writing, the gritty batter had moved on to 115* (161). Sussex will hope that their skipper doesn't run out of partners as they aim to overhaul the deficit.