Cheteshwar Pujara Continues Impressive Form For Sussex With Third Century in Four Games
Cheteshwar Pujara has been in sensational form for Sussex (Twitter)
Indian batting mainstay in Test cricket, Cheteshwar Pujara, has continued to exhibit his exceptional form with the bat in English County cricket. Leading Sussex this season, Pujara secured his third century in just four matches against Worcestershire on Friday.
The talismanic batter’s innings was a masterpiece of timing and technique, as he struck 136 off 189 balls with 19 fours and a single six. He reached the century milestone in just 138 balls.
Pujara's contributions to Sussex this season have been remarkable. He kicked off his campaign with an impressive 115 and 35 against Durham, where his team won by two wickets.
The 35-year old batter's only disappointment came against Yorkshire, where he failed to make a substantial impact. Nevertheless, he bounced back brilliantly against Gloucestershire, crafting a resolute knock of 151 runs from 238 balls, featuring an impressive 20 fours and two sixes.
The Indian veteran teamed up with premier Australian batter Steve Smith to form a solid 61-run partnership for the fourth wicket in the match against Worcestershire. The World No. 3 batter, who has also signed up with Sussex for a three-match stint, will be playing against India in the World Test Championship (WTC) final on June 7.
Meanwhile, Pujara's outstanding performances with the bat this season are likely to boost his team's morale and confidence as they prepare for the upcoming matches. His exploits in English County cricket have been a significant boost for the Indian team, who have been plagued by injuries and the unavailability of key players.
Last Friday, KL Rahul, announced his unavailability for the WTC final against Australia due to a thigh injury. The Lucknow Super Giants skipper joined a growing list of Indian players, including fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, and Jaydev Undakat who have been ruled out of the WTC final.
However, Pujara's impressive form in England has raised hopes for the Indian team, who are looking to overcome these setbacks and clinch victory in the upcoming World Test Championship final after missing out on the title in 2021.
 "Jatin")
