Cheteshwar Pujara slams 61-ball ton in T20s. Yes, it really happened

Calm. Composed. Slow. Steady. – The often used adjectives for India’s middle-order batsman, Cheteshwar Pujara. But how many times have you heard a journalist writing aggressive, or a commentator saying most barbarous hitters, or spectators witnessing Pujara’s every shot closely? Well, all this makes today special for this gentleman. The man, who hasn’t been rated heavily against the white ball, has proved his critics wrong once again after smashing 100 of just 61 deliveries at an astonishing strike-rate of 163.93 against Railways. The innings was laced with 14 boundaries and a mighty six. 

In Round 1 of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Saurashtra was up against Railways. The toss fell in favor of Railways skipper Anureet Singh, who asked the opposition to have a bat first.

For Saurashtra, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Harvik Desai started off the innings. The duo smashed the bowlers all-round the park and went on to register a partnership of 85 runs in mere 8.1 overs before the latter was sent back to the pavilion.

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Pujara continued to anchor the innings and put up a partnership of 82 runs for the second wicket with Robin Uthappa. With this, Saurashtra posted a mammoth total of 188 runs.

In reply, Railways started on a decent note posting 55 runs in first five overs. The team continued their first five overs dominance in the game. Ashish Yadav and Harsh Tyagi made a small but important contribution for the team to help the team register a dazzling victory.

For Pujara, after being adjudicated as the man-of-the-series against Australia Down Under, he continued his dream run in the Ranji Trophy as he helped his team to play the finals. Even in Syed Mushtaq Ali game, though his century went in vain, he surely emerged victorious in front of populous.

Brief Score: 

Saurashtra: 188/3 in 20 overs (Cheteshwar Pujara 100, Ashish Yadav 1/30)
Railways: 190/5 in 19.4 overs (Mrunal Devdhar 49, D Jadeja 2/27)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cheteshwar Pujara smashed 100 off 61 deliveries. 
• Railways won by 5 wickets with 2 balls remaining. 
• D Jadeja was the pick of the bowers for Saurashtra.