Cheteshwar Pujara slams ton for Nottinghamshire in his second county game of the season
Cheteshwar Pujara hit a century for Nottinghamshire against Gloucestershire in the County Championship Division Two on Friday. The 29-year-old Saurashtra batsman scored 112 off 206 deliveries and shared in a stand of 185 runs with Michael Plumb to help the hosts take early control of the match.
Cheteshwar Pujara carried his sensational home form into the English County Championship and slammed his 39th first-class century and first for his new county Nottinghamshire.
However, Pujara was dismissed in the 82nd over by Craig Miles and missed out on a chance to complete his 12000 first-class runs. Pujara's stint with the bat got helped his side to post a total of 357/5 at the end of day 1. Earlier, Pujara was unable to start his third season in the county cricket on a high and was dismissed at 2 against Glamorgan in his first game of the season.
The 29-year-old has played 48 Tests and scored 3,798 runs at an average of over 51, including 11 centuries and 15 half-centuries.Â
The India Test No 3 batsman failed to bag an IPL contract this season and was advised by Mohammad Azharuddin to join County cricket in order to sharpen his batting skills under the seaming conditions of England.
“I would like those who are not playing IPL, especially Pujara, to go and play county cricket in England. He would encounter different types of wickets especially in April and May which will give good experience and exposure. “It will help him when he tours England or other places where the ball moves around and also bounces,”, Azharuddin had earlier stated.