Cheteshwar Pujara returns to kind, smashes maiden first-class double century for Sussex

Cheteshwar Pujara shared a partnership of 351 runs with skipper Tom Haines and guided Sussex to safer shores within the County Championship match.

Cheteshwar Pujara. Courtesy: AP

HIGHLIGHTSPujara stayed unbeaten on 201 off 387 ballsPujara smashed 23 fours en-route his double centuryPujara additionally shared a helpful partnership together with Tom Haines

Cheteshwar Pujara has struggled for runs of late whereas enjoying for Team India during the last 12 months or so. The veteran, subsequently, was dropped from the nationwide squad for the two-match Test collection in opposition to Sri Lanka final month. To his dismay, he additionally went unsold within the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) mega public sale that occurred on February 12 and 13 in Bangalore.

However, the veteran has discovered his mojo whereas enjoying for Sussex within the ongoing County Championship. In the primary innings, Pujara obtained out to right-arm medium pacer Anuj Kailash Dal after scoring solely six runs off 15 balls. But he made amends within the second innings, scoring an impressive double century. After declaring their innings at 505/8, Derbyshire bowled Sussex out for 174.

Cheteshwar Pujara oozing class

Having conceded a lead of 331 runs, Derbyshire discovered themselves in hassle of their second innings after shedding Ali Orr and Tom Alsop cheaply. From there on, opening batter Tom Haines and Pujara bailed their staff out of jail. While the Sussex skipper went on to attain a double century, Pujara raced to his double century and confirmed his prowess to play underneath immense strain.

At the time of writing the article, the right-handed Pujara had smashed 201 runs with the assistance of 23 fours. On Day 4, Pujara and Haines placed on 351 runs collectively for the third wicket. Haines went on to attain 243 runs off 491 balls with 22 fours.

201* on debut. @cheteshwar1 pic.twitter.com/T5enZv40vR

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) April 17, 2022

Nick Potts separated the duo after eliminating Haines on the fag finish of the day. The match ultimately led to a draw. Derbyshire would really feel they missed out on a golden probability of securing a win after getting their opponent on the mat.

Barring Sam Connors and Potts, not one of the Derbyshire bowlers might handle to make a breakthrough. It stays to be seen if Pujara could make his method into the Indian staff sooner or later amidst the emergence of fairly just a few younger cricketers within the nation.

Double century for Cheteshwar Pujara on his debut for Sussex. Absolute sensible stuff by Pujara. pic.twitter.com/WEXddqOtmg

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 17, 2022

A @SussexCCC debut to recollect for Cheteshwar Pujara.#CountyCricket pic.twitter.com/DhsXzvQqDr

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) April 17, 2022

Cheteshwar Pujara is just not completed.#CheteshwarPujara #CountyCricket2022 pic.twitter.com/RDyUbe3eGi

— CRICKET (@AbdullahNeaz) April 17, 2022