Even if a barrage of runs might not compel him to return to the national team, he is persevering and setting an example for the younger generation.
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Cheteshwar Pujara happily accepted the present as Shahbaz Nadeem slid one down his leg. With a simple tap to the short fine-leg fielder, he scored his 17th double century in first-class cricket, matching the record held by the great Herbert Sutcliffe with a single. Pujara has been an inflexible fixture in India’s batting lineup for so long that the only players with more double hundreds than him are Don Bradman (37), Wally Hammond (36) and Patsy Hendren (22).
Usually there were no lively festivities. He didn’t point the bat in the direction of the camera or use any foul language. He simply grinned widely and welcomed the cheers from his friends and comrades who had gathered to witness him create history—that too in his own Rajkot. Thanks to Prerak Mankad’s (104 n.o.) century and his undefeated score of 243, Saurashtra was able to declare at 578/4 in their first innings and push for an innings victory against Jharkhand. Despite their best efforts, the visitors were still 296 runs down in the Elite Group A match at stumps after the third day, having finished on 140/2.
When playing cricket, timing is crucial. As the five-Test series against England approached and the young players failed miserably in the South Africa Test, Pujara was sending a message to the selectors that he was, in fact, making runs. While Pujara was doing Pujara things, batting deep and long—356 balls to be exact—the selectors may or may not have permanently forgotten him, underscoring the need of an anchor in this style of play. It was an outstanding building textbook with much to teach the budding crop.
A few years ago, Pujara returned to the domestic scene following his dismissal from the Test team. He triumphed after amassing a massive run total in Ranji and County cricket. However, the road back to Test cricket appears to be more challenging this time. There is no assurance that his name would be brought up in the selection meetings, even if he hits a ton of runs. He still has a deep affection for the game, though. “Of course, playing for the country is the ultimate motivation,” he had previously stated to this publication. However, you are also motivated by your passion for batting.
As of late, Pujara appears to have accepted a new task: proving that the Ranji Trophy remains significant and the pinnacle of domestic cricket. He seldom loses focus. Arpit Vasavada, Pujara’s partner from age-group levels to Saurashtra, says, “I’m seeing him play with the same intensity and commitment that I saw when he got the Ranji cap.” “Every game is an opportunity to bat for him, and he cherishes the Ranji Trophy.” He would play the occasional game with the utmost seriousness, even when he was in between national obligations. That ferocity hasn’t changed even today. Vasavada continues, “He is getting down and demonstrating to the kids how it is done and how to do it.”
Following his dismissal from the Test team, Pujara may have been asked to do this by the selectors. They wanted him to demonstrate the amount of energy required at the highest level and to compete against the younger generation. It was accomplished by the current head of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, who played domestic cricket for over six years following his final international match. Similarly, S Sharath, Agarkar’s compatriot, has not represented his nation in cricket despite having unbelievable consistency in first-class performance. His drawing room is adorned with a letter written by Sunil Gavaskar, who came to see him when he retired in person and gave it to him.
Pujara looks to be going on this kind of trip alone. At this point, he has nothing more to prove. Runs are not necessary for him to return to the India team. He has amassed a century in every country he has played a Test match in, with the exception of New Zealand and the Caribbean. He has won two Ranji titles even with Saurashtra. He’d be playing county cricket next summer, when all of India would be preoccupied with the IPL.
Twenty years have passed since VVS Laxman’s 1,415 runs in a single Ranji Trophy season in 1999/2000 became a holy book for Indian selectors. Selectors continue to return to it, from Dilip Vengsarkar to Kiran More, MSK Prasad to Chetan Sharma.Agarkar only needs to divert the attention of the present crop towards Pujara in order to convey a fresh message to them.
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