Cheteshwar Pujara is playing his 100th match in the ongoing second Test between India and Australia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Pujara is just the third Indian cricketer in history to accomplish this.
Saturday, however, did not go as planned for Pujara, as he was dismissed without scoring a run in the first innings (February 28). Pujara was one of the five wickets taken by Nathan Lyon, which included India’s first four and placed Australia in the lead.
With his failure, Pujara established an unwelcome record and became the eighth player in the annals of cricket to score zero in their 100th Test. Pujara is the second Indian to make the uncommon list, following Dilip Vengsarkar. In addition to the Indian pair, Mark Taylor, Allan Border, Brendon McCullum, Stephen Fleming, and Alastair Cook were unable to score in their 100th Test.
Participants to receive a blank in the 100th Test –
Dilip Vengsarkar
Allan Border
Shannon Walsh
Mark Taylor
Stephen Fleming
Brendon McCullum is a cricketer
Christopher Cook
Cheteshwar Pujara
Due to Pujara’s low score, India found itself in dire straits with a score of 137-7. However, a century-long partnership between Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin ensured that India scored 262 runs while Australia only led by 1 run. Axar Patel scored the most runs for India with 74, while Virat Kohli scored 44. Ashwin contributed 37 crucial runs.
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On the first day of the tournament, Sunil Gavaskar, an Indian cricket legend, presented Pujara with a commemorative cap prior to the commencement of play. As India entered the field prior to the start of the match, the complete Indian team presented Pujara with a guard of honour.
India faces a difficult pursuit, so Pujara will attempt to make amends in the second innings.