Cheteshwar Pujara is the local hero here in Rajkot. On the third day of the first Test hosted by the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, and with his father-cum-coach Arvind watching in person for the first time, it was somehow fitting that his was the first hundred scored by an Indian batsman on the ground.
If such layers of additional meaning upped the pressure on Pujara, the No3 showed little of it on 99 when he calmly cut Chris Woakes’ third delivery with the new ball after tea behind square before haring down the wicket, lifting bat and helmet to his team-mates, his father and the 7,000 or so present for this particular slice of history.
Related: Late wickets lift England after centurions Vijay and Pujara star for India
Continue reading...