5 Defiant Cheteshwar Pujara Innings

#5) 202, 3rd Test, Australia tour of India at Ranchi, Mar 16-Mar 20, 2017

Pujara’s knock was not only monumental but was also an epic one.

Pujara’s best knock couldn’t have come at a better time than in one of the most fierce cricket rivalries that history has ever witnessed. A double century against a powerful Australian bowling line-up is always special. However, Pujara’s knock was not only monumental but also an epic one.

He faced 525 deliveries for his 202 runs and thus became the batsman to face the most number of deliveries in an innings in Indian Test history. His innings was also very important in the context of the game as Australia had piled up 451 runs in their first innings.

As a result of Pujara’s mammoth knock, India made their way to 603/9 before declaring their innings. It consumed a whole 4 days of the match. The match ultimately got drawn with Australia ending up with a second innings score of 204/6 on the final day.

Although the match didn’t produce any result of consequence, it did keep the series alive and most of the credit goes to Pujara’s innings.