• Cheteshwar Pujara slammed a brilliant double century for Saurashtra in their opening Ranji Trophy 2024 match against Jharkhand.

  • Pujara now has most double centuries in first-class cricket among Asians.

‘You can’t ignore him’: Fans react as Cheteshwar Pujara slams 17th double hundred in first-class cricket – Ranji Trophy 2024
Cheteshwar Pujara (Image Source: Twitter)

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In a spectacular display of skill and determination, India’s out-of-favour batter Cheteshwar Pujara recently stole the spotlight with a phenomenal double century during Saurashtra‘s opening Ranji Trophy 2024 match against Jharkhand.

Despite being sidelined from the Indian Test squad, Pujara’s outstanding performance not only earned Saurashtra a commanding position in the game but also set a new record, making him the first Asian to reach the milestone of 17 double centuries in first-class cricket.

Saurashtra’s domination

The match at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot, witnessed an intriguing battle between Saurashtra and Jharkhand. Opting to bowl after winning the toss, Saurashtra’s bowlers, led by Chirag Jani‘s sensational five-wicket haul, efficiently bundled out Jharkhand for a modest total of 142 runs in 49 overs.

Cheteshwar Pujara’s supremacy

When it was time for Saurashtra to bat, Pujara emerged as the linchpin of the innings, making it a challenging day for the Jharkhand bowlers. With an impressive knock of 243 runs off 356 balls, including 30 fours, Pujara showcased his class and resilience. Supported by Prerak Mankad‘s significant contribution, Saurashtra declared their innings with a formidable score of 578 runs.

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Historic achievement

Pujara’s remarkable double century marked the 17th occasion in his illustrious career when he surpassed the 200-run mark in first-class cricket, which not only makes him the first Asian to achieve such a feat but also places him joint-fourth among batters globally in terms of most first-class double centuries.

Fans’ enthusiasm and request to BCCI

The cricketing world was quick to react to Pujara’s stellar performance, and fans showered the veteran batter with praise. Despite being overlooked for the Tests in recent times, supporters fervently expressed their desire for Pujara’s return to the national side for the England series, emphasizing that his recent innings should not go unnoticed.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Also READ: 6 players with most centuries as an opener in international cricket

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About the Author:
VISHWANATH HARIHARAN
Vishwanath Hariharan is Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. From breaking news stories to in-depth features and opinion pieces, he has covered a wide range of topics. Vishwanath is very fond of watching cricket. Like many others, he too grew up watching, playing, and imitating his favourite players of the game. MS Dhoni is like a demigod to him. You can connect with him at vishwanath.hariharan@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter & Linkedin.