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Cheteshwar Pujara's recent retirement marks the end of an era for Indian cricket, a career defined by unwavering resilience, an almost impenetrable defense, and a remarkable ability to occupy the crease for extended periods. While his Test match contributions are well-documented, with his record of facing the most deliveries in a Test innings for India surpassing even Rahul Dravid, and his status as India's second-highest run-scorer at No. 3, behind only Dravid, this article delves into lesser-known facets of his cricketing journey. It unveils five unique records across formats that showcase Pujara's versatility and often-underappreciated skills beyond the traditional Test arena. These include a surprising T20 century, an exceptional List A average exceeding even Virat Kohli's, being the only triple centurion for an 'A' side, an unusual feat of batting on all five days of a Test match with a low score, and the most runs scored in a First-Class season in India. These achievements, often overshadowed by his Test exploits, paint a more comprehensive picture of a cricketer who consistently defied expectations and quietly achieved remarkable feats throughout his career. Pujara's dedication to the longer format often led to him being pigeonholed as a Test specialist, but these records demonstrate a broader skillset and a capacity to adapt to different formats and situations. His ability to score a T20 century, despite his reputation for slow scoring, reveals a hidden attacking dimension to his game. Similarly, his List A average, surpassing Virat Kohli's, highlights his proficiency in the 50-over format, a fact often overlooked due to his focus on Test cricket. The record of being the only triple centurion for an 'A' side underscores his consistency and appetite for big scores, while the five-day Test batting incident, though unusual, speaks to his unwavering commitment to occupying the crease. Finally, his record-breaking First-Class season in India demonstrates his dominance at the domestic level and his ability to score heavily in familiar conditions. By examining these less celebrated achievements, this article aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of Cheteshwar Pujara's cricketing legacy, showcasing his adaptability, consistency, and often-underappreciated versatility across various formats of the game. It highlights the depth of his talent and the quiet determination that characterized his career, making him a truly remarkable cricketer whose contributions extend far beyond the boundaries of Test cricket. His impact on Indian cricket is undeniable, and these hidden gems in his record book further solidify his place as a legend of the game. The article thus seeks to provide a more complete and accurate assessment of Pujara's career, recognizing his multifaceted talent and celebrating the accomplishments that often go unnoticed.
One of the most surprising revelations is Pujara's unlikely foray into T20 cricket. Despite being renowned for his patient and defensive approach in Test matches, he etched his name in the record books as the first Saurashtra batter to score a T20 century. This feat, achieved in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match against Railways in Indore, saw him smash an unbeaten 100 off just 61 deliveries, a stark contrast to his typically measured approach. This innings, featuring 14 fours and a six, shattered the preconceived notion of Pujara as solely a Test specialist and showcased his ability to adapt and accelerate when required. While it remained his only T20 century in 71 matches, the fact that he achieved this milestone at all is a testament to his versatility and hidden attacking potential. It demonstrates that beneath the stoic exterior of a Test match batsman lay a player capable of explosive hitting and quick scoring. The century also highlights the importance of not pigeonholing players based on their perceived strengths and weaknesses, as Pujara's T20 innings proved that he was capable of more than what he was typically given credit for. This record serves as a reminder that even the most dedicated Test players possess a wider range of skills and abilities that can be unleashed in different formats. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of giving players opportunities to express themselves and explore their potential in various cricketing contexts. Pujara's T20 century, though often overlooked, remains a significant achievement that adds another layer to his already impressive cricketing resume. It challenges the conventional wisdom about his playing style and reveals a hidden dimension to his game that deserves greater recognition. This unexpected milestone is a testament to his adaptability and his capacity to surprise, making him a truly multifaceted cricketer.
Equally remarkable is Pujara's List A record, where he boasts a batting average that surpasses even that of modern-day great Virat Kohli. With an average of 57.01 in 130 List A matches, he stands above Kohli's 56.81, a statistic that defies the common perception of Pujara as solely a red-ball player. This achievement is particularly significant considering Kohli's dominance in the 50-over format, making Pujara's higher average a truly exceptional feat. While Kohli has played significantly more List A matches and accumulated a far greater number of runs, Pujara's superior average underscores his consistency and ability to score heavily in the shorter format. His List A average is the best among all Asian batters and is only bettered Michael Bevan for anyone who has scored at least 5000 runs the format. This record challenges the notion that Pujara was exclusively a Test specialist and demonstrates his proficiency in the 50-over format. It highlights his ability to adapt his game to different formats and conditions, showcasing his versatility as a batsman. The fact that he maintained such a high average despite focusing primarily on Test cricket is a testament to his skill and dedication. This achievement is often overlooked due to his Test exploits, but it deserves greater recognition as a significant accomplishment in its own right. Pujara's List A record provides further evidence of his multifaceted talent and his ability to excel in various formats of the game. It challenges the conventional wisdom about his playing style and reveals a hidden dimension to his game that deserves greater appreciation. This remarkable statistic solidifies his place as a truly versatile cricketer whose contributions extend far beyond the boundaries of Test cricket.
Adding to his unique achievements is the distinction of being the only player to have scored a triple century while representing an 'A' side of any country in First-Class cricket. This feat, achieved in 2013 against West Indies in Hubbali, underscores Pujara's dominance at the domestic level and his ability to score big runs in pressure situations. His penchant for daddy hundreds was evident early in his career, highlighted by his maiden First-Class triple century in November 2008 against Odisha. However, the triple century for India A sets him apart, solidifying his status as a run-scoring machine at all levels of the game. It demonstrates his consistency and appetite for big scores, traits that have defined his career. This record is particularly significant as it showcases his ability to perform under pressure and deliver exceptional performances when representing his country, even in a non-international setting. Pujara himself has described this innings as one of his best-ever performances at the domestic level, highlighting its importance to him personally. The triple century for India A serves as a reminder of his unwavering commitment to excellence and his ability to rise to the occasion when representing his country. It is a testament to his skill and dedication, and it further solidifies his place as a legend of Indian cricket. This unique achievement is often overlooked due to his Test exploits, but it deserves greater recognition as a significant accomplishment in its own right. Pujara's triple century for India A provides further evidence of his multifaceted talent and his ability to excel in various formats and levels of the game. It challenges the conventional wisdom about his playing style and reveals a hidden dimension to his game that deserves greater appreciation.
Another unusual record in Pujara's career is his participation in a Test match where he batted on all five days, yet failed to amass a significant score. This rare instance occurred during the 2017 Test against Sri Lanka in Kolkata, where Pujara entered stumps early on Day 1 due to rain. Despite batting on each subsequent day, he only managed to score a total of 74 runs across both innings. While batting on all five days of a Test is a rare achievement in itself, Pujara's low score makes this instance even more unique. He is the only batter from the list of 13 cricketers to have batted on all five days of a Test to not amass even 75 runs. This record, while seemingly unremarkable, speaks volumes about Pujara's commitment to occupying the crease and his willingness to grind out runs, even when conditions are challenging. It highlights his resilience and his determination to contribute to the team, regardless of the circumstances. The fact that he batted on all five days despite not scoring heavily demonstrates his unwavering focus and his ability to adapt to difficult conditions. This unusual record serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and mental fortitude in cricket, qualities that Pujara embodies. It also highlights the unpredictable nature of the game and the fact that even the most accomplished batsmen can sometimes struggle to score runs. Pujara's participation in this unusual Test match adds another layer to his already fascinating career and showcases his unique ability to contribute to the team in various ways, even when not scoring heavily.
Finally, Pujara's sheer dominance in First-Class cricket is exemplified by his record-breaking run aggregate in a single season in India. During the 2016-17 season, he amassed a staggering 2064 runs, including 1316 Test runs at an average of 62.66, breaking a 52-year-old record held by Chandu Borde. His seven centuries during that season were the most in any country outside England in a First-Class season. This achievement underscores Pujara's exceptional run-scoring ability and his consistency at the domestic level. It demonstrates his ability to dominate opposition bowlers and score heavily in familiar conditions. The fact that he broke a long-standing record is a testament to his skill and dedication. This record highlights his importance to Indian cricket and his ability to consistently deliver exceptional performances. Pujara's record-breaking season serves as a reminder of his exceptional talent and his unwavering commitment to excellence. It also demonstrates the importance of domestic cricket in nurturing talent and providing opportunities for players to showcase their skills. His performance during that season solidified his place as one of the leading batsmen in India and further cemented his legacy as a legend of the game. This remarkable achievement is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and exceptional talent.
In conclusion, Cheteshwar Pujara's career is far more multifaceted than often perceived. Beyond his well-documented Test match achievements, lies a collection of unique and often-overlooked records that showcase his versatility, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to the game. From his surprising T20 century to his exceptional List A average, his triple century for India A, his unusual five-day Test batting feat, and his record-breaking First-Class season, these achievements paint a more comprehensive picture of a cricketer who consistently defied expectations and quietly achieved remarkable feats throughout his career. These records serve as a reminder that even the most dedicated Test players possess a wider range of skills and abilities that can be unleashed in different formats. They also highlight the importance of not pigeonholing players based on their perceived strengths and weaknesses, as Pujara's career has proven that he was capable of more than what he was typically given credit for. Pujara's legacy extends far beyond the boundaries of Test cricket, encompassing a wide range of achievements that deserve greater recognition and appreciation. He will be remembered not only as a Test specialist but also as a versatile and adaptable cricketer who consistently delivered exceptional performances across various formats of the game. His contributions to Indian cricket are undeniable, and these hidden gems in his record book further solidify his place as a legend of the game. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge and celebrate these often-overlooked aspects of his career to provide a more complete and accurate assessment of his cricketing legacy.
Source: Beyond the grind: Cheteshwar Pujara’s five most unique career records across formats