After being ignored for India's tour of West Indies, Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara scored a remarkable century while playing for West Zone in the ongoing Duleep Trophy. Veteran batter Pujara scored a century for West Zone on day 3 of West Zone vs Central Zone Test at the KSCA Cricket Ground in Alur. Pujara faced 278 deliveries to score 133 runs with help of 14 boundaries and a six. In the first innings, Pujara had returned to the pavilion cheaply for 28. Suryakumar Yadav, also playing for West Zone, scored a half-century (52) in the second innings. Sarfaraz Khan, who made headlines for yet again being ignored for a maiden India call-up in Tests, failed in both innings (duck in 1st innings and 6 runs in 2nd innings).
Cheteshwar Pujara scored 28 runs off 102 balls in the first innings and stitched a crucial 95-run partnership with Suryakumar in the second innings. Opener Prithvi Shaw (25) and captain Priyank Panchal (15) struggled for runs. Suryakumar Yadav scored 52 runs in 58 balls before being dismissed by Saurabh Kumar, who also later dismissed Sarfaraz Khan.
Cheteshwar Pujara Joins Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar In Elite List
Pujara became the fifth Indian batter to score 60 first-class centuries and he is now tied with legend Vijay Hazare. Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar jointly top the list with 81 tons.
West Zone kept losing wickets from one end but Cheteshwar Pujara kept his cool, played with great calm and composure to bring up his hundred after lunch. With the help of Pujara's century, West Zone took their lead beyond 350 on the third day.
35-year-old veteran Pujara was dropped from India's Test squad for the upcoming India vs West Indies Test series after a string of poor performances in the World Test Championship final and before. Pujara could score mere 14 and 27 in the final of the Test Championship against Australia.