Pujara overtakes Brian Lara in list of First Class hundreds

Cheteshwar Pujara, one of the most stalwart and disciplined batsmen in contemporary cricket, has once again etched his name in the annals of the sport with his 66th first-class century. This milestone, achieved on October 21, 2024, during round 2 of Ranji Trophy against Chhattisgarh, underscores Pujara’s relentless dedication and unparalleled skill in the red ball format.
With the century, Pujara overtook legendary Brian Lara in the list of most First-Class hundreds. The India batter, who is currently out of the Test team, also completed 21,000 runs while batting in the Round 2 of the Ranji Trophy match.
Born on January 25, 1988, in Rajkot, Gujarat, Pujara was nurtured in a cricketing family. His father, Arvind Pujara, and uncle, Bipin Pujara, were both Ranji Trophy players for Saurashtra, laying the foundation for Cheteshwar’s future in the game. Pujara made his first-class debut for Saurashtra in December 2005, and since then, he has been a cornerstone of the team.
Pujara’s domestic career is replete with impressive feats. He has been the leading run-scorer for Saurashtra on multiple occasions, including the 2017-18 edition of the Ranji Trophy, where he scored 437 runs in just four matches. His ability to anchor the innings and score big hundreds has been instrumental in Saurashtra’s success in domestic cricket. Notably, in the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy, Pujara achieved his 50th first-class century, a testament to his consistency and longevity.
Pujara’s international career began with his Test debut against Australia in Bangalore in October 2010. Since then, he has become an integral part of the Indian Test team, known for his patient and disciplined batting style. This approach, often described as a throwback to earlier eras of cricket, has allowed Pujara to thrive in the longest format of the game.
With over 100 Test matches under his belt, Pujara has accumulated 7195 runs at an average of 43.60, including 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries. His contributions have been pivotal in several key series, most notably India’s historic Test series win in Australia during the 2018-19 tour. Pujara’s third double-century in the third Test at Ranchi, which included a marathon 199-run partnership with Wriddhiman Saha, was a highlight of that series and earned him the Man of the Match award.
In addition to his domestic and international success, Pujara has also made a significant impact in county cricket. Playing for Sussex in the County Championship, he has demonstrated his adaptability and skill in different conditions. In April 2022, Pujara and Tom Haines became the first batters to score double centuries in the same innings of a first-class match while following-on, a rare feat that showcases his endurance and batting prowess.
Pujara’s performance in county cricket has not gone unnoticed. He scored his fifth century of the 2022 county season as Sussex captain against Middlesex, further solidifying his reputation as a reliable and prolific run-scorer.
Despite the evolving landscape of cricket, with younger players often preferring the more aggressive and counterattacking styles, Pujara remains a beacon of traditional batting values. His ability to grind down opposition bowling attacks and his fitness tailored for long innings have made him a role model for aspiring cricketers.
Former Australian coach Justin Langer has praised Pujara’s concentration and batting technique, noting that his ability to watch the ball closely is unmatched, even by the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. This high praise underscores the respect Pujara commands within the cricketing fraternity.