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Pujara once again proved his worth as he scored his second hundred against Sri Lanka in Galle on Thursday. Pujara completed 12th hundred of his career off 173 balls. He hit eight boundaries to complete his century. He scored his first hundred in Sri Lanka in the final Test of a three-match series in 2015.
At the SSC Oval in Colombo Pujara carried the bat during his unbeaten 145 run innings in 2015. He had opened the innings in the absence of regular opener Shikhar Dhawan. His innings helped India win the match by 117 runs and eventually the series by 2-1 margin. Catch the live score here
Cut to 2017, Pujara, who is known for sound technique and patience to bat long, scored his second hundred in Sri Lanka in his second Test of his career at the Galle International Sports Club. Also read: India in Sri Lanka: Virat Kohli’s Struggle For Form in Tests Continue
The right-handed batsman came to play this series following three months break after a grueling home series. During 2016-2017 season, Pujara has scored 1316 runs in 13 matches with three hundreds and one double hundred.
During the 2016-2017 home season, he scored three consecutive hundreds in three-Tests. While he scored two hundred in two consecutive innings against New Zealand at Indore and Rajkot, the third hundred was scored in the second innings of the first Test against England at Visakhapatnam. Also read: India in Sri Lanka: Shikhar Dhawan Eases Into Test Mould With a Cracking 190
In March 2017, the Saurashtra boy hit his third double hundred and second against Australia in the Ranchi Test. By playing that innings, Pujara became the record holder of the longest innings in a Test match surpassing his idol Rahul Dravid. Dravid had faced 495 balls for his 270 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi while Pujara played 525 balls for his 202 against Australia in Ranchi. With that double hundred, Pujara had become third Indian after Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar to score two double hundreds against Australia.
In the ongoing Test match against Sri Lanka, Pujara scored his 12th Test hundred following that marathon inning in Ranchi. At Galle International Club, India lost opener Abhinav Mukund’s wicket early for 27. Following his departure Dhawan, who played a quick fire 190 off 168, built a 253 runs second wicket partnership with Pujara. The partnership was broken following Dhawan’s departure as he was dismissed by Nuwan Pradeep.
Following’s Dhawan’s departure skipper Kohli was caught behind off the delivery of Pradeep. However, with Ajinkya Rahane (39 not out) came in the middle Pujara built another 113 partnership with him.
It is expected that Pujara, who finished the day on unbeaten 144, will look for his fourth double hundred on day two. At the same time, India ended the day one on 399 for 2, second highest score by India in a day. The highest score by India in a day was scored in 2009 when former opener Virender Sehwag was in the team.
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