Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara, showcased his resilience by scoring a century for West Zone in the Duleep Trophy on Friday, after getting dropped from the national Test team for the upcoming tour of the West Indies. During the match against Central Zone at the KSCA Cricket Ground in Alur, Pujara displayed his batting prowess, accumulating 133 runs off 278 balls. His innings consisted of 14 boundaries and a six.
After a modest contribution of 28 runs off 102 balls in the first innings, Pujara rose to the occasion in the second innings. Following the early dismissals of Prithvi Shaw and Priyank Panchal, Pujara formed a crucial partnership worth 95 runs with Suryakumar Yadav. Suryakumar played a quickfire innings of 52 runs off 58 balls before falling prey to Saurabh Kumar.
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Despite witnessing a flurry of wickets falling at the other end, Pujara maintained his composure and reached the milestone of a century after Lunch. His innings significantly helped West Zone establish a commanding lead of over 350 runs on Day 3 of the match.
Pujara’s omission from the Indian team came as a consequence of his underwhelming performance in the World Test Championship final against Australia, where he scored 14 and 27. This is the second time Pujara has faced being dropped, the first instance occurring after India’s defeat against South Africa in January 2022.
Although Pujara won’t be part of the Indian side touring the West Indies, his century in the Duleep Trophy serves as a reminder of his immense batting abilities and his determination to bounce back stronger.