Cheteshwar Pujara reaches 20,000 runs and joins elite list of Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar

Cheteshwar Pujara has carved his name up among the stalwarts of Indian domestic cricket as the veteran on Sunday became the fourth batter to cross 20,000 runs in first-class cricket during Suarashtra’s third-round fixture in the ongoing Ranji Trophy season match against Vidarbha.

The 35-year-old has achieved the landmark in 260 matches at an average of 51.96. Ahead of Pujara, there is Indian coach Rahul Dravid (23,794 runs at 55.33), Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar (25,396 runs at 57.84), and little master Sunil Gavaskar (25,834 runs at 51.46).

Pujara has been a prolific runscorer in Ranji cricket and a pillar in the middle order for his county cricket side in England for Sussex. The Indian number three has played 103 matches for India and has amassed 103 runs at an average of 43.61.

Pujara might not have been in contention for the Tests recently, but during his peak, he was one of the prolific scorers in the format for India in overseas conditions. Along with a solid technique, strong temperament, grit, and unshakable determination have been his strength against pace.

He also has an excellent record in the subcontinent and is an exceptional player of spin bowling. In fact, Former England off-spinner Graeme Swann revealed that he did not like bowling to the 35-year-old. “The one batter I didn’t like bowling to was (Cheteshwar) Pujara because he was very nimble on his feet,” Swann said in a podcast for Sky Sports Cricket.

Swann played a key role by picking up 20 wickets in the famous series win of England in India in 2012. However, he said, “It’s strange when I look back at the team they had — VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virat Kohli — and the one that I didn’t like bowling to was Pujara.”

Though Pujara is not in the squad announced for the first two Test matches against England, he has continued to pile on runs for Saurashtra as he has always been doing in the Ranji Trophy over the years. However, for India, after the World Test Championship final against Australia, the batter was dropped from the side and has been overlooked for overseas tours and Shubman Gill took his spot at three in the side.

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