Ranji Trophy: Cheteshwar Pujara scores double century for Saurashtra against Jharkhand

Cheteshwar Pujara scored a scintillating double century for Saurashtra against Jharkhand in the Ranji Trophy on Sunday making a case for himself ahead of India’s squad announcement for the England series at home.

Pujara scored 243 in 346 balls with the help of 30 fours as Saurashtra posted 543 in the first innings. The veteran batter hasn’t played for India since the World Test Championship final against Australia, getting dropped from the subsequent West Indies and South Africa Test series.

On Saturday, Pujara had cracked an unbeaten century fir the defending Ranji champions. He was 157 not out at stumps, and giving him company at 23 was Prerak Mankad.

𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀𝗵𝘄𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝘂𝗷𝗮𝗿𝗮! 💯💯

A spectacular 2⃣0⃣0⃣ in Rajkot from the Saurashtra batter! 👏👏

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/xYOBkksyYt#RanjiTrophy | #SAUvJHA | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @saucricket | @cheteshwar1 pic.twitter.com/ofLZSf2qcl

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 7, 2024

Saurashtra, who had bundled out Jharkhand for a paltry 142 on the opening day with Chirag Jani taking his maiden five-for in First-Class cricket, were in complete control after having taken a 264-run lead with opener Harvik Desai (85), Sheldon Jackson (54) and Arpit Vasavada (68) being the other notable contributors.

Overnight batters Harvik and Jackson didn’t last long on day 2, though the duo managed a 108-run partnership for the second wicket to give the hosts a good platform to build on.

2⃣4⃣3⃣* runs
3⃣5⃣6⃣ balls
3⃣0⃣ fours

Sit back and enjoy Cheteshwar Pujara's resilient double century against Jharkhand 🎥🔽 #RanjiTrophy | #SAUvJHA | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @saucrickethttps://t.co/0sXCAopHlU

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 7, 2024

Pujara found the gaps and occasionally punished the loose deliveries, consuming 239 deliveries for his 157 that was studded with 19 boundaries.

His 146-run partnership with Vasavada helped the hosts post an imposing total, one which could help them win by an innings and garner a bonus point.

Jharkhand bowlers were woefully ill-equipped to match the batting prowess of the team led by India pacer Jaydev Unadkat with all their six bowlers going for plenty of runs.

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