Key Takeaway:
Cheteshwar Pujara, amidst the Ranji Trophy, recently joined an elite club, becoming the fourth Indian cricketer to surpass 20,000 runs in first-class cricket, joining Gavaskar, Tendulkar, and Dravid.
In the ongoing Ranji Trophy, Pujara showcased outstanding form, including a notable 243 not out. His milestone 20,013 runs in 430 innings and 61 centuries underscore a stellar first-class career.
Amidst the fervor of the Ranji Trophy 2023/24, Cheteshwar Pujara carved his name in history, becoming the fourth Indian cricketer to amass an impressive 20,000 runs in first-class cricket. Pujara's recent feats and longstanding contributions make him a cricketing legend.
While most Indian cricketers are busy in the Ranji Trophy 2023/24, veteran right-handed top-order batter Cheteshwar Pujara became the fourth Indian cricketer to score 20000 first-class runs.
Cheteshwar Pujara is busy in the ongoing Ranji Trophy as he is serving for Saurashtra. The right-handed batter is in strong form in the running Ranji Trophy as he has scored 243 not out (vs Jharkhand), 49 & 43 (vs Haryana), and 43 &66 runs (vs Vidarbha).
In their last game, Saurashtra beat Vidarbha by 238 runs. Before that game, Cheteshwar Pujara was 96 runs (19904 runs) behind the 20000 first-class runs milestone. By scoring a total of 109 runs in his last Ranji Trophy match, Pujara crossed the 20000 runs mark in his first-class career.
Cheteshwar Pujara — 4th Indian to score 20000 runs in first-class career
Cheteshwar Pujara became the fourth Indian cricketer to record 20000 first-class runs. After Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid, Pujara reached this milestone as an Indian.
Indian cricketers with 20000 first-class runs
Player | Runs |
Sunil Gavaskar | 25834 |
Sachin Tendulkar | 25396 |
Rahul Dravid | 23794 |
Cheteshwar Pujara | 20013 |
(Updated as of 21 January 2024)
Cheteshwar Pujara – First-class cricket career
Pujara has scored 20013 runs in 430 first-class innings (260 matches) with an average of 51.98. The right-handed batter has recorded 61 centuries and 78 half-centuries in his first-class career. He has also recorded 17 first-class double-centuries, the joint fourth-most double-hundreds record in first-class cricket history (most 200s by an Indian cricketer). His highest first-class score is 352 runs.
In his Test career, Pujara has scored 7195 runs in 176 innings (103 matches) with an average of 43.60. The right-handed batter has hit 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries in his Test career, including his highest score of 206 not out (against England at Ahmedabad in November 2012). He has recorded three Test double-centuries.
Must Read | Best innings of Cheteswar Pujara
