Cricket

Cheteshwar Pujara, the seasoned Indian batter, has sent a resounding message to the national selectors with a masterful century for Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy match against Chhattisgarh. The 36-year-old's timely ton serves as a reminder of his enduring class and unwavering determination ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.Pujara's 66th First Class century, a testament to his prolific run-scoring prowess, saw him surpass West Indies legend Brian Lara for the most hundreds in the format. It was also his 25th in Ranji cricket, placing him second among active players.The veteran batter's century came after Chhattisgarh amassed a formidable 578 for 7 (declared) in their first innings. Undeterred, Pujara anchored Saurashtra's response with a composed and elegant knock. His 198-ball innings was adorned with 11 boundaries, showcasing his impeccable timing and shot selection.This century marks Pujara's first in the ongoing Ranji season, following a modest start against Tamil Nadu. However, it comes on the heels of a successful County stint in England, where he amassed 501 runs for Sussex, including two centuries.Pujara's resurgence is particularly timely given India's recent batting struggles in the opening Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. With the tour Down Under looming, the veteran has thrown his hat in the ring for selection, eager to prove his worth on the biggest stage.Pujara's last Test appearance for India came in the World Test Championship Final against Australia in June 2023. The top-order batter, who has played 103 Tests for his country, boasts an impressive tally of 19 centuries in the traditional format.As the Indian team prepares for the challenges of the Australian tour, Pujara's century serves as a timely reminder of his resilience, experience, and unwavering commitment to the game.

Gurjapneet Singh, a 25-year-old pacer from Tamil Nadu, has emerged as a rising star in Indian cricket. Despite facing setbacks in his early career, Gurjapneet has persevered and is now making a significant impact in the Ranji Trophy.Born and raised in Ambala, Gurjapneet initially struggled to break into the Punjab age-group team. Undeterred, he relocated to Chennai in search of better opportunities. After initial challenges, he has become a key player for Tamil Nadu, helping them win crucial matches.In a recent Elite Group D match against Saurashtra, Gurjapneet claimed a six-wicket haul, including the prized scalps of Cheteshwar Pujara and Sheldon Jackson. His impressive figures of 14-5-22-6 showcased his exceptional bowling skills.Gurjapneet's journey has been marked by memorable encounters with some of India's top cricketers. During a recent net session with the Indian team, he famously castled Virat Kohli, an incident that left the star batter visibly frustrated. However, Kohli's subsequent advice proved invaluable to Gurjapneet."He told me, when there is no movement, change the angle and try bowling around the wicket. Because with that angle, even if you manage to get slight movement, it will end up troubling most batsmen," Gurjapneet recalled.Gurjapneet also shared his strategy for dismissing Pujara, a renowned batsman. "When you bowl to a legendary batsman like him, you have to be accurate from the word go. So the plan was to push him on the backfoot and then send in a good front foot ball that would make him uncomfortable," he explained.Gurjapneet's success is a testament to his determination and hard work. He has overcome challenges and embraced opportunities, proving that with perseverance and the right guidance, anything is possible.

Cheteshwar Pujara's absence from India's Test squad for their upcoming tour of Australia has sparked discussions about the team's batting dynamics. Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson believes that India's younger batters, such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, can fill the void left by Pujara and continue to pose a significant threat to the Australian bowling attack.Pujara played a pivotal role in India's historic Test series victories in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21. His ability to bat for extended periods and absorb pressure was crucial to India's success. However, Watson believes that Jaiswal, despite his contrasting batting style, can have a similar impact on the Australian bowlers."Jaiswal hasn't given the opposition a chance to get him out," Watson said. "If he and other aggressive batters can put pressure on the Aussie bowlers, they can still have the same effect as Pujara."Watson also highlighted Rishabh Pant as another Indian batter who could pose a serious threat to Australia. Pant has a remarkable record in Australia, having scored 624 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of 72.13."Pant has great memories from his last tour," Watson said. "He's come through his challenges and is now an even better player. I think he's going to have a big series."In addition to the batting, Watson identified Jasprit Bumrah as a key player for India. Bumrah has 32 wickets at 21.25 from seven Tests in Australia and is considered one of the best fast bowlers in the world."Bumrah is so good in all conditions," Watson said. "He's going to be very effective in Australia. If he has a big series, he can really provide Australia some big challenges."Overall, Watson believes that India's batting lineup, despite the absence of Pujara, has the potential to trouble the Australian bowlers and continue their success in Australia.

Cheteshwar Pujara, the veteran Indian batter, is leaving no stone unturned in his preparations for the upcoming 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season. In a video shared on social media, the 36-year-old was seen honing his skills in the nets, accompanied by the caption, "Never stand still."Pujara, who has been out of the Indian team for over a year, will be eager to make a strong case for a national recall with a standout domestic season. His last competitive appearance was in May this year for Sussex in the County Championship, where he scored a patient 129 off 302 balls against Middlesex.Having last featured for India in the 2021-23 World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in June 2023, Pujara's international form has been under scrutiny. In that match, he scored 14 and 27 in India’s 209-run defeat, leading to his exclusion from the national side.As Saurashtra prepare to launch their Ranji Trophy campaign against Tamil Nadu on October 11, Pujara will be a key figure for the side. Known for his grit and determination, he will be looking to capitalize on the domestic platform to regain his spot in India's Test squad.Pujara’s career statistics speak volumes of his importance to Indian cricket. In 103 Tests, he has accumulated 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, with 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries. His experience and hunger for runs make him one of the most dependable batters in Indian cricket, and a successful Ranji Trophy season could open the door for his return to the national team.Pujara's return to form will be crucial for India's Test ambitions. With the World Test Championship final scheduled for June 2025, the team will need all their experienced players to perform at their best. Pujara's ability to grind out runs and anchor the innings will be invaluable in the challenging conditions that await them.

Dinesh Karthik Advocates for Gill and Khan to Replace Pujara and Rahane in Border-Gavaskar TrophyFormer Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has suggested that Shubman Gill and Sarfaraz Khan should be considered as potential replacements for veteran batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.Karthik believes that Gill and Khan have the potential to fill the void left by Pujara and Rahane, who have struggled for form in recent times. Both Gill and Khan have impressed with their performances in domestic cricket and have shown glimpses of their talent at the international level.Gill has already made a significant impact in Tests, particularly in challenging conditions. His ability to handle pressure and perform under duress was evident during India's memorable series win in Australia in 2020/21. Khan, on the other hand, has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket, scoring heavily against formidable bowling attacks. His impressive showings in the home series against England earlier this year have further strengthened his case for inclusion in the squad for the Australian tour.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a five-match series, will be a stern test for India's batting lineup. The matches will be played in Perth, Adelaide (featuring a pink-ball Test), Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. Team India will be aiming to extend their dominance in Australia, having clinched the previous two editions of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2018/19 and 2020/21 Down Under.

Cheteshwar Pujara Departs Sussex for Daniel Hughes' ReturnIndian Test stalwart Cheteshwar Pujara will not be returning to Sussex for the 2023 County Championship season. The English club has opted to retain Australian Daniel Hughes, who will be available for all Championship and T20 Vitality Blast matches next year.Pujara, a renowned Test specialist, had rejoined Sussex for a third stint in 2024. He featured in the first seven Championship matches before Hughes' arrival. However, the club has decided to prioritize Hughes' availability for the entire season.Sussex head coach Paul Farbrace praised Hughes' contributions, stating, "Taking over from Cheteshwar is not an easy task, but Dan has fitted in brilliantly and we are all delighted he will be back for the whole of next season."Hughes emerged as Sussex's leading run-scorer in the group stages of this year's Blast, amassing 560 runs at an average of 43.07. He notched up five half-centuries and a career-best 96 not out. His heroics helped Sussex reach the quarterfinals after defeating Lancashire Lightning at home on September 4.Farbrace further lauded Hughes' impact, saying, "Dan has been top class for us on and off the field. He has brought a wealth of experience to the dressing room and has seriously helped some of our young batters with the development of their games."In addition to his role in the Blast, Hughes will also feature in Sussex's final five Championship matches of the current campaign.

Ishan Kishan's rollercoaster year continues as he earns a spot in the Duleep Trophy squad, reigniting hopes of a national team return. Despite being omitted from the BCCI's central contracts, Kishan's impressive century in the Buchi Babu tournament has caught the attention of selectors.However, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali believes Kishan's chances of a comeback are slim, advising him to focus on the IPL instead. Ali suggests that Kishan's return is unlikely until the Australia series or even the Champions Trophy.Meanwhile, Ali expresses concerns about India's upcoming Test series against Australia, highlighting the absence of Cheteshwar Pujara. He emphasizes Pujara's ability to tire bowlers and create scoring opportunities for his teammates.Pujara played a pivotal role in India's Test series triumph in Australia in 2021-22, but has since lost his place due to poor form. Ali believes that despite India's potential to win the series, Pujara's absence will be felt.Kishan's inclusion in the Duleep Trophy squad indicates that the BCCI is willing to give him another chance to prove his worth. However, with the national team's focus on the upcoming Test series and the IPL, Kishan's path back to the Indian side remains uncertain.

Sussex's batting prowess was on full display at Lord's as they amassed a formidable 295 for 4 against Middlesex in the Vitality County Championship Division Two clash. Cheteshwar Pujara, the Indian Test stalwart, once again proved his mettle, remaining unbeaten on 91, while his captain, John Simpson, contributed a valuable 71 not out.Pujara, who has a history of tormenting Middlesex's bowlers, continued his dominance, anchoring the Sussex innings with his patient and composed knock. His unbroken 131-run partnership with Simpson, who returned to Lord's for the first time since leaving Middlesex, provided the visitors with a solid foundation.Middlesex's decision to bowl first seemed questionable initially as Tom Clark and Tom Haines raced to 66 runs in quick time. However, Ethan Bamber's switch to the Nursery End proved fruitful as he dismissed Haines for 40. Ryan Higgins and Henry Brookes also chipped in with wickets, but Pujara and Simpson remained unyielding.Pujara, who has scored three half-centuries this season, weathered the occasional bouncer from Higgins and forged a 72-run partnership with James Coles. Coles' dismissal brought Simpson to the crease, and the former Middlesex wicketkeeper showed his class with a stylish cover drive off Brookes.Despite some early struggles, Simpson settled into his innings and played a crucial role in securing Sussex's first batting bonus point. He was fortunate to survive a no-ball from Luke Hollman and a dropped catch by Hollman off Tom Helm.Middlesex's bowlers toiled hard, but the Sussex batsmen remained resolute. The introduction of spinners Nathan Fernandes and Hollman failed to yield immediate results, and the visitors continued to build a strong platform. Bad light eventually ended play with six overs unbowled, leaving Sussex in a commanding position.