Duleep Trophy 2016: Top 5 performers from the tournament

Cheteshwar Pujara

When your place in the national side is in jeopardy and you need to step up, that is when the difference between a good player and an average one becomes apparent. And when you add the fact that Cheteshwar Pujara was playing with a pink ball for the first time, his scores make for even more impressive reading.

In the three innings that he batted in this tournament for India Blue, Pujara scored a century in his first and an unbeaten double century in his final innings. His first tryst with the pink ball was a success as he scored 166 and helped his team rack up 707 in their first innings.

In the final, his double century not only helped set up the platform for his side but also ensured he equalled Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar's record of 10 first-class double centuries and became the youngest Indian player to achieve that feat as well. All of that has not only ensured his place in the Indian XI for the first Test but also ensures he goes into it in great form.