Ranji Trophy: Pujara strikes 269 ahead of South Africa tour

Cheteshwar Pujara got some much-needed batting practice ahead of India`s tour of South Africa making 269 while skipper Jaydev Shah missed a double ton by five runs as Saurashtra grabbed the first-innings lead against Tamil Nadu in their Ranji Trophy match on Sunday.

Chennai: Cheteshwar Pujara got some much-needed batting practice ahead of India`s tour of South Africa making 269 while skipper Jaydev Shah missed a double ton by five runs as Saurashtra grabbed the first-innings lead against Tamil Nadu in their Ranji Trophy match here on Sunday.

Pujara faced 461 balls and hit 33 boundaries while Shah made 195 off 296 balls. Shah faced the fence 17 times and was involved in a huge 353-run stand for the fourth wicket with Pujara in the Group B match. Thanks to their efforts, Saurashtra overtook Tamil Nadu`s massive first-innings score, eventually declaring at 581 for six in 161.4 overs. Tamil Nadu had scored 565 for eight in 158.2 overs. After the fall of Shah, Pujara added 157 runs with Aarpit Vasavada (70). This was Pujara`s third first-class century on the trot, having reached the three-figure mark in the Mumbai Test against the West Indies and versus Bengal in a Ranji match. Resuming at overnight 326 for three with both Pujara and Shah well past their hundreds, Saurashtra had little trouble in tackling the Tamil Nadu attack spearheaded by L Balaji. Pujara started the day on 152 while Shah was batting on 133 at the start of day`s play. Puajara`s effort was the match`s second double century, with Abhinav Mukund making 240. Brief scores: Tamil Nadu 1st innings: 565 for 8 in 158.2 overs Saurashtra 1st innings: 581 for 6 in 161.4 overs (Cheteshwar Pujara 269, Jaydev Shah 195).