Cricketers of the Week – 12th March to 18th March

#3 Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara continued his fine run

India’s new wall stood between them and Australian dominance. Pujara came in to bat in the last session of the second day in the third Test at Ranchi. He played the whole of the third day ensuring India were not out of the contest despite losing wickets at regular intervals.

Pujara scored 130 in 328 balls, seeing off testing times as India lost their star batsmen, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane cheaply. He added 102 for the second wicket with Vijay, 51 for the fourth wicket with Rahane and then held fort late in the day by adding an unbeaten 32 for the seventh wicket with Wriddhiman Saha.

Pujara’s innings ensured India reached 360 by the end of day 3, still 91 runs behind Australia’s first innings target. This was Pujara’s 11^th Test ton after he missed out narrowly in the second Test at Bengaluru. This is already a record-breaking run for Pujara, who became India’s most prolific batsman in a single season.