Out-of-favour Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara has added another feather to his cap during the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2023-24 match between Saurashtra and Vidarbha at Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) stadium in Nagpur on Sunday, January 21.
Saurashtra veteran batter achieved the feat of 20000 in his illustrious first-class cricket career. He reached the milestone with his innings of 66 off 137 balls against hosts Vidarbha. With this, Cheteshwar Pujara became the fourth Indian batter after Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid to complete 20000 runs in first-class cricket history.
Legendary batter Sunil Gavaskar currently lead the chart of leading run-scorers among Indian batters in first-class cricket with 25834 runs, followed by Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, who scored 25396 and 23794 run, respectively in the format.
After 66-run innings against Vidarbha, Cheteshwar Pujara's tally stands 20013 runs, including 61 centuries and 78 fifties, at an average of over 51 in 260 first-class matches.
Meanwhile, Pujara is the second-highest run-getter in first-class cricket on Indian soil, with 12816, including 38 centuries and 50 fifties, at an average of 59.05 in 155 matches.
Cheteshwar Pujara not in scheme of things for India Test?
Ever since his dismal performance against Australia in the World Test Championship Final last year, Cheteshwar Pujara has never been picked in India Test squad.
Pujara was not picked for the Test squad for West Indies. The 34-year-old was not added to India squad for the two-match Test series against South Africa.
In Saurashtra's opening match against Jharkhand in ongoing Ranji Trophy 2023-24, Cheteshwar Pujara registered his 17th first-class century, 243 off 356 balls. Despite his brilliant performance, he was once again overlooked by selectors as he was not picked for initial two tests of the upcoming five-match Test series against England.
The string of poor performances in Tests over the last few years might have forced to move on from Pujara and give opportunities to youngsters. The last time Cheteshwar Pujara scored a century in Test was against Bangladesh in December 2022, where he scored an unbeaten 102 off 157 balls. Since then, he scored one fifty in 10 innings.
In order to make a comeback, Cheteshwar Pujara needs to consistently perform well in ongoing Ranji Trophy season.
