Cheteshwar Pujara gave big warning to Australia before WTC final. Cricket
While Indian players are busy with IPL duties, India’s red-ball specialist Cheteshwar Pujara has started his preparations for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final. The blockbuster finale against Pat Cummins and Co. will be played at The Oval in June as India will take the opportunity to end their trophy drought in the ICC’s premier competitions, having last won silver in 2013 under MS Dhoni.
Pujara has already reached England and is currently busy with the County Championship Division Two 2023, where he represents Sussex. He started the season on a solid note and carried his excellent form into the match against Gloucestershire, against whom he scored his second century in three matches.
Batting at number four, Pujara scored 151 runs from 238 balls, including twenty-two fours and two sixes. He finished as his side’s leading run-getter as Sussex declared their innings at 455/5 as the action got underway on the third day. In reply, Gloucestershire got off to a decent start as openers Marcus Harris and Chris Dent added 41/4. 0 so far in 14 overs.
Meanwhile, Pujara saw past Wasim Jaffer in the list of Indian batsmen with most first-class tons. Pujara’s tally now stands at 58 and is placed fourth on the list, which was topped by Sachin Tendulkar. The ‘Master Blaster’, who recently turned 50, has a staggering 81 first-class tons to his credit.
Pujara has so far accumulated 332 runs in five innings and is currently the top scorer in the County Championship Division Two 2023. Seam department, which includes Mitchell Starc, Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
Pujara enjoys batting against the Aussies and has scored 2033 runs at an average of 50.82, the most against any team, in the 24 Tests he has played against them.
