Indian veteran Test batter, Cheteshwar Pujara notched his first Test hundred after 1443 days in the first Test match against Bangladesh on Friday. On the third day of the Test match, Pujara broke his century drought and in a scintillating style.
The 34-year-old batter hit 13 fours en route to his 19th century in the longest format of the game. Pujara started off cautiously as he took 87 balls to reach his half-century. However, surprisingly, the Indian batter shifted to white-ball mode and reached his ton in just 130 balls.
Pujara scored those runs at a strike rate of 80. For the record, it was also his fastest-ever century in Test cricket. Indian team declared the innings after Pujara reached the ton. He played an unbeaten knock of 102 runs, while Virat Kohli stayed unbeaten on 19 off 29 balls.
His knock helped the team set a target of 513 runs against Bangladesh. Pujara had a sensational outing in the first Test match. Earlier, in the first innings, he played a brillaint knock of 90 runs in 203 balls but missed out on a hundred by just 10 runs. He struck important partnerships with Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer to help the team finish strongly.
The 34-year-old notched his last ton in Test cricket in January 2019 against Australia in Sydney. The fans have been overjoyed to see the Test veteran notching the 19th ton in Test Cricket. Here’s a look at all the reactions:
This year has been a redemption year for India's no.3 first @imVkohli then @cheteshwar1!!
Congratulations Pujji for your fastest century in just 130 balls 🙌🏻💯#CheteshwarPujara #Century #RPSwing— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) December 16, 2022
You knew all the body blows & the pain that Cheteshwar Pujara endured for his team in Australia two summers ago without fussing over his scores & all the deliveries he’s soaked in since would result in a glut of big tons at some stage. Today could just be the beginning #BanvInd
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 16, 2022
You wondered if he’d played his last Test when the selectors left him out of the home series v Sri Lanka in February. Here he is at the end of the year, showing why he’s been the player that he is. Well played, Cheteshwar Pujara.
— Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) December 16, 2022
2022!
I could see anything coming but a Cheteshwar Pujara reverse sweep?!!!
Jai Mata Di!!!
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) December 16, 2022
(abhi run nahi banaata to agle match mein bahar bitha dete the😆)
Cheteshwar Pujara to team management after scoring 90 runs pic.twitter.com/e4fzeQnPcr
— chintubaba (@chintamani0d) December 15, 2022
#cheteshwarpujaraThe best of the test turns himself in #BazBall , they said it's over but he added it's my time & now this time is all about bazball . The bazzball can't be pujara. Pujji can be bazzball
After the 1444 days 100 for him🔥 #cheteshwarpujara #INDvBAN @cheteshwar1 pic.twitter.com/lFLhUJ5gJm— Mahesh (@mahesh0777patil) December 16, 2022
best test batsman for India in this generation
— ³ ✨ (@Legspiner1) December 16, 2022
The Wall 🔥🔥🔥🔥
— 😎 (@cricmahi7) December 16, 2022
fastest century😂, pujara 👌
— Murali (@MuraliTY4) December 16, 2022
Meanwhile, team India have set a target of 513 runs for Bangladesh to win the Test match. Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara both scored respective tons in India’s second innings to help the team declare at 258 for 2. At the time of writing, Bangladesh have scored 25 runs without any loss of wickets.
