County Championship 2022 | Pujara hammers second tons for Sussex in as many games

Veteran Indian Test batter Cheteshwar Pujara continued his resurgence in the longest format on Saturday (April 23) afternoon, as he peeled off his second consecutive hundred in as many games for Sussex.

Pujara, 33, made his debut for Sussex last week. While he could manage just 6 runs in his maiden outing, the Indian Test specialist backed it up with a brilliant double-hundred (201* off 387 deliveries) to help his team avert a defeat against Derbyshire.

Pujara was at it again in the ongoing Division 02 fixture against Worcestershire. With Sussex losing wickets at regular intervals, the Saurashtra batter held the fledgling ship together and was the only batsman to rack up fifty-plus runs.

Pujara seems to have made a change in his stance. He is going back and across to avert nicking the outside off deliveries to the cordon.

The 33-year old played some delightful strokes during his knock of 109. It was a typical Pujara knock, glittered with crunchy square-cut, authoritative pulls and, not to forget, the upper-cut with both feet in the air.

He brought up his 51st First-Class hundred with a pull shot and was eventually dismissed for 109 by Dilon Pennington.

Sussex folded for 269 in their first innings, and Worcestershire decided to enforce the follow-on.

Unfortunately, just like his fellow mates, Pujara too fell cheaply this time. He was bowled by Pennington for a 22-ball 12 as Sussex slipped to 87/6.

Nevertheless, Pujara, who was dropped from the Test team following an extended lean patch after the South African tour earlier this year, makes a strong case for a comeback.

He will be looking to add a few more big knocks to his tally in the upcoming days and force his way back for the final Test of the Pataudi Trophy, which will take place in Birmingham in July.

Pujara has represented India in 95 Tests, scoring 6713 runs at an average of 43.87 with 32 fifties and 18 tons.