- In his first match after being dropped from the Indian Test team, veteran batsman Cheteshwar Pujara was back to the grind in domestic cricket, and, in what had seemed inevitable for a player of his class and experience, he hit a terrific century to help his side West Zone in the Duleep Trophy semi-final against Central Zone.
This was the 60th first-class century of Cheteshwar’s first-class career and one of the hardest at domestic levels. It were difficult conditions in Alur, where the match was being played.
The pitch was of a slightly up-and-down nature, helping both spinners and pacers, with the seamers also getting plenty of help from the weather that was cloudy and overcast, and batting has been difficult throughout the game. West Zone were bowled out for 220 in their first innings before Central Zone were bowled out for 128.
Pujara, who was West Zone’s rock in the first innings with a knock of 28 runs in 102 balls, compiled a hard-grinding hundred in the second innings. In the second essay, he made a 278-ball 133 laced with 14 fours and one six. Pujara also showed some of his attacking instincts after crossing half-century by playing some sweeps and reverse sweeps and also jumping down the track. His century helped extend his side’s lead to over 350.
At the age of 35, having played 103 Tests and was part of some of India’s greatest and most memorable wins, there was little to prove for Pujara and play domestic cricket after being dropped from the Test team for the West Indies series. Yet, he doesn’t take any match for granted and turned up to feature in the Duleep Trophy, less than two weeks after he was snubbed from the Test side.
June 23rd – Cheteshwar Pujara dropped from the Indian Test team.
July 7th – Cheteshwar Pujara scored a terrific hundred in the Duleep Trophy Semi.
Can Cheteshwar Pujara make a comeback to Test team?
A comeback seems really difficult, though not impossible, for Pujara at the moment, even if he piles up big runs in Indian domestic cricket and County cricket, which he will play in the coming months. For, India will be trying new faces in their batting – most likely Jaiswal or Shubman Gill at number 3 – in West Indies. However, as Rahane showed, good form and experience would be values by the selectors and Pujara could make a comeback in the side if and when there’s an opening up of a slot again.
