Far away from the glitz and glamour of the IPL, Cheteshwar Pujara is plying his trade in the English County Championship trying to remind the national selectors that he is far from being a spent force and could still hold the aces in India’s unsettled top-order.
His run of scores for Sussex will be hard to ignore: 6 & 201 not out versus Derbyshire, 109 & 12 versus Worcestershire, 203 versus Durham and 16 & 170 not out versus Middlesex.
Having gone 52 first-class innings without a century, Pujara has regained touch since joining the county in the early part of the English summer, considered the most fragile period for batters. Pujara looked on track for his third double century before Sussex captain Tom Haines declared.
Pujara along with Ajinkya Rahane were dropped from the squad for the home Test series against Sri Lanka in February following a horrible tour of South Africa.
In three Tests, Pujara aggregated 124 runs at an average of 20.66 in South Africa. His technique and preparation were under scrutiny and his intent questioned. The 95-Test veteran suddenly faced an eviction notice.
The soft-spoken Pujara chose to remain silent right through the turmoil. His inability to find a franchise at the IPL auction this time has come as a boon in disguise. While he got an opportunity to try his luck elsewhere in his favourite whites, Rahane’s career has slipped after the IPL debacle.
The presence of Shaheen Shah Afridi among the Middlesex bowlers provided an absorbing contest at Hove. An uppercut for six off Afridi over backward point during a penetrating spell of fast bowling remained the talking point.
Pujara’s scintillating touch propelled his first-class double century count to 15 and an entry into the top-10 batters club with most double centuries. The Rajkot cricketer is placed ninth, one ahead of the legendary Ranjitsinhji, the only other Indian in top-10 list.
Given his exploits in English conditions, head coach Rahul Dravid could well be thinking of giving Pujara a chance during the Edgbaston Test in July against Ben Stokes’ revitalised home team.
