New Delhi: Cheteshwar Pujara on Friday produced a batting master class to celebrate his first home Test in style with family members cheering every single run as India move closer to England's first innings total of 537 runs with two days play left in the match at Rajkot.
Having already scored two hundreds against England, Pujara batted with exemplary control and with Murali Vijay (126), stitched a 209-run second wicket stand to help India post a strong reply to the visitors' mammoth total.
Puajara, after blocking a series of dot balls, took a single off the third ball of 81st over bowled by Chris Woakes, to complete a memorable Test hundred at his home ground. The right-handed batsman took 169 balls to reach the milestone.
The 28-year-old ran towards the non-striker's end, without a care, and celebrated the moment raising the bat in the air.
Rajkot celebrates as @cheteshwar1 hits his 9th Test Century @Paytm Test Cricket #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/5Bs3oZAOEF
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 11, 2016
But the real celebration was in the stands, where his father Arvind and uncle Bipin — both first-class cricketers cherished the moment with Rajkot residents, including daughter-in-law Puja Pabari,
It certainly was a moment to cherish.
Earlier in the day, Pujara survived a close LBW call only to see DRS review coming to the rescue of the home-town boy in the 71st over. Pujara, on 86, was initially given out off the bowling of Zafar Ansari, and a stunned waited with bated breath as DRS review was called by the batsman.
Here's how the Pujaras in the stand celebrated the verdict.
Mr. Pujara's DRS call delights Mrs. Pujara @cheteshwar1 #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/sW8oIYF450
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 11, 2016
Statistically, Pujara and Vijay also completed 2000 runs together at an average of 65.09, best for Indian pairs with 2k or more runs.
Che finally departed after making 124. He had previously scored 206 not out and 135 in his first two Tests against England in the 2012-13 home series.
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