Test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara has had a flying start to the year in Ranji Trophy 2023-24, surpassing VVS Laxman in the list of all-time Indian First Class runs and recording his 17th double century - a domestic record
By crossing the 200-run mark for the 17th time in his First Class cricket career, Indian test specialist Cheteshwar Pujara found himself in the company of all-time greats such as Don Bradman and Wally Hammond. Moreover, the batter, during an early January Ranji Trophy 2024 tie against Jharkhand, crossed Indian cricket legend VVS Laxman in the list of First Class runs, establishing himself as one of the finest to grace the format from the country. (More Cricket News)
Getting the chance to bat early in Saurashtra's Test bout against Jharkhand - after the Saurashtra bowlers had managed to limit Jharkhand's first innings to just 142 - Pujara planted himself on the crease and persisted there for days, providing an answer to whatever questions the opponents dare asked. He faced 356 balls in Saurashtra's first innings and left the pitch undefeated at 243 runs after his team decided to declare their score. By the time Pujara and Prerak Mankad, who scored a ton himself, returned to the pavilion, Saurashtra had put 578 runs on the board - a total Jharkhand were not able to match through their two innings.
By adding further runs to his First Class tally, Pujara surpassed Laxman in the all-time charts. Shortly after crossing the 150-run mark on Day 3 of the Test, the 35-year-old left the Indian great in his wake, who had accumulated 19,730 runs across his long and storied domestic career. Pujara is currently fourth in the list of the highest First Class run scorers, behind Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid.
The Saurashtra batter also grabbed his 17th double don in the format, moving to the joint-fourth spot worldwide after Don Bradman, Wally Hammond, and Elias Henry Hendren.