Come back hungry, Cheteshwar Pujara scores a great Ranji century and reaches 21,000 runs in First-Class cricket

Since Australia’s victory against India in the 2023 World Test Championship Final, batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has not played for his country. However, on Day 4 of the second round match of the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2024-25, which is being played at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, the 36-year-old cricketer revealed that he still has hope of making an India comeback.

The hitter finished his century with a boundary hit towards the long on area. He reached his 66th first-class century off 197 balls. During this milestone, Pujara broke the 21,000-run mark in his first-class career, which was an even greater accomplishment.

Pujara achieved yet another three-figure total in first class cricket by scoring runs all over the park while playing stunning drives and glances during his undefeated knock. After the opposition hammered a massive total of 578-7d in the first innings of the match against Chhattisgarh, Pujara entered the game to bat on the third day. In pursuit of this uphill route, the star batsman assumed responsibility for bringing Saurashtra as close to the total as he could.

Pujara first joined Chirag Jani for a partnership of 68 runs after entering the batting order at 3, his typical position. After Jani was dismissed, professional wicketkeeper-batter Sheldon Jackson joined him, and the two of them scored 109 runs for the third wicket. Early on the fourth day, Jackson, who had batted beautifully for his 62, left, leaving Saurashtra struggling as they were still 388 runs behind.

Pujara is currently being accompanied by southpaw Arpit Vasavada, who has participated in a half-century stand with the latter. Saurashtra is still 307 runs adrift with a scoreboard that now shows 271 for the loss of three wickets in 77 overs. Shashank Singh, Ajay Mandal, and Ashish Chauhan have each claimed a wicket for Chhattisgarh.

Most runs in First Class cricket by Indians

Pujara’s hunger, grit and determination

With 829 runs, Pujara finished third in the previous Ranji Trophy tournament, and his incredible start to the current campaign gives him hope of returning to the Indian squad.

Also Read: Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Ruturaj Gaikwad smashes Ton vs Mumbai on Day 3

But, given that players like Abhimanyu Easwaran have performed well at the top order in domestic cricket, the competition is quite difficult.