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'Seedhe team India me vapsi karao' - Fans react as Cheteshwar Pujara hits unbeaten double century in first match of Ranji Trophy 2024

India's next white-ball assignment is at home against England, and Pujara is likely to be back in contention after scoring a double-century on the domestic circuit.

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Mathew K
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Cheteshwar Pujara (Source: Twitter)

Cheteshwar Pujara (Source: Twitter)

The year 2023 was not a memorable one for Cheteshwar Pujara. Team India's Test specialist was left out of the squad for the tour of South Africa. However, the 35-year-old started the 2024 season with a bang. Returning to his state team Saurashtra for the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy, Pujara scored an unbeaten double-century in their opening match. 

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In the Elite Group A match against Jharkhand, Saurashtra captain Jaydev Unadkat chose to bowl first after winning the toss. On the back of Chirag Jani's five-wicket haul, the visitors were bowled out for 142 runs in the first innings. Although the hosts lost Snell Patel early on, Saurashtra opener Harvik Desai (85) and Sheldon Jackson (54) provided a great start for them. 

Pujara, batting at No. 4, steadied the ship with Arpit Vasavada forging a good partnership. After losing Vasavada for 68 runs, the veteran batter and Prerak Mankad took charge and made a mockery of the Jharkhand bowlers. The duo added 256 runs for the fifth wicket, with Pujara bringing up his double-century and Mankad scoring a brilliant century (104*).

Pujara has put Team India selectors under pressure 

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The senior Indian cricketer completed his century on Day 2 and added 87 more runs the next day to help his team take a huge lead. Saurashtra declared the first innings at 578-4 in 156 overs thanks to Pujara's unbeaten 243 off 356 balls. His resilient knock included 30 fours. 

Pujara lost his place in the Test team after his string of poor performances. He was not included in the recently concluded two-match Test against South Africa, where India leveled the series 1-1 with an emphatic seven-wicket win in Cape Town. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was included in India's red ball squad, with Shubman Gill playing at Pujara's No. 3 position.

India's next white-ball assignment is at home against England, and Pujara is likely to be back in contention after scoring a double-century on the domestic circuit. The Men in Blue will host Ben Stokes and Co. for a five-match series starting on January 25. 

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Here's how fans reacted to Cheteshwar Pujara's double century in Ranji Trophy 2023-24

India featured Cheteshwar Pujara