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File photo of Cheteshwar Pujara© X (formerly Twitter)
Veteran Indian cricket team batter Cheteshwar Pujara made a strong case for his return to Test cricket with a record-extending double century in Ranji Trophy. Pujara slammed his 17th double ton in first-class cricket during Saurashtra’s Ranji Trophy encounter against Jharkhand in Rajkot. India will face England in a five-match Test series starting January 25 and with the squad announcement expected soon, the double century can prove to be an extremely crucial statement of intent from Pujara to the selectors.
With his 17th double ton, Pujara became joint fourth in the list of most double centuries in first-class cricket along with Herbert Sutcliffe and Mark Ramprakash. Sir Donald Bradman tops the list with 37 double centuries with Wally Hammond of England in second position with 36.
Pujara also overtook VVS Laxman to become fourth in the list of Indian batters with most first-class runs and he is only behind Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.
Meanwhile, the national selectors aren’t finding it easy to pick just one among Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the upcoming Afghanistan series.
𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀𝗵𝘄𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝘂𝗷𝗮𝗿𝗮!
A spectacular 2⃣0⃣0⃣ in Rajkot from the Saurashtra batter!
Follow the match https://t.co/xYOBkksyYt#RanjiTrophy | #SAUvJHA | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @saucricket | @cheteshwar1 pic.twitter.com/ofLZSf2qcl
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 7, 2024
As of now, there are chances that both the stalwarts will be kept in the squad but possibly with a rider that form during the IPL will be the main parameter for selection in the T20 World Cup team.
Another round of discussions could take place, and it could be the BCCI bigwigs taking the final call.
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar had flown into South Africa during the second Test to talk to the two veterans, and both have made themselves available. But there are too many external factors, and eventually, the BCCI’s all-powerful secretary Jay Shah might be required to take a decision.
(With PTI inputs)
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