Cheteshwar Pujara hits fighting fifty in Vijay Hazare Trophy after South Africa series snub

Veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara scored a resilient half-century for Saurashtra in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2023 match against Mumbai after not being picked up for the South Africa series.

In Short

• Cheteshwar Pujara scored a resilient half-century for Saurashtra in the Vijay Hazare Trophy
• Cheteshwar Pujara was not picked in India's squad for the Test series in South Africa
• Pujara last played for India in the ICC World Test Championship 2023 final against Australia

Senior India batter Cheteshwar Pujara demonstrated his mettle in domestic cricket after his exclusion from the Indian Test squad for the South Africa series. The 35-year-old batter scored an unbeaten 55 off 114 balls, showcasing his mettle despite Saurashtra being bundled out for a mere 144 runs.

Pujara walked into bat at No.4 with Saurashtra reeling at 7 for 2 on a difficult Alur pitch that offered substantial assistance to the bowlers. However, the 35-year-old displayed exceptional resilience, standing tall as a lone warrior for his side amidst the chaos and hit his 34th fifty in List A cricket.

Pujara's solitary effort stood out, being the only player to surpass the 30-run mark, contributing significantly to Saurashtra's modest total. Earlier this year, Pujara reached the milestone of 5,500 List A runs. Currently, he has surged to 5,732 runs across 128 games, maintaining an outstanding average of over 56 with a total of 16 centuries, with his highest score being 174. However, his performance in five ODI appearances for India saw him manage 51 runs at an average of 10.20.

Despite his valiant display, Pujara's absence from India's Test squad for the imminent South Africa tour raises questions about his future in international cricket. His last appearance for India dates back to the 2023 ICC World Test Championship final against Australia. As emerging talents like Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill make their mark, Pujara's path to reclaiming a spot in the national team seems increasingly uncertain.

Pujara has amassed a commendable record of 7,195 runs in 103 Tests, boasting an average of 43.60, including 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries. However, with the shifting dynamics and the emergence of young talents, Pujara might have played his final innings in international cricket, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and determination.

While his future in the international arena remains unclear, Pujara's commitment to the game and his ability to score crucial runs for his team remain undiminished, as evidenced by his latest gritty performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Published By:
Saurabh Kumar
Published On:
Dec 1, 2023