Cheteshwar Pujara’s marathon knock of 202 led India to a position of strength against Australia on Day 4 of the third Test in Ranchi on Sunday. The right-hand batsman was at the crease for an incredible 525 deliveries, a feat no other Indian batsman had accomplished before.
He shared a vital 199-run partnership with Wriddhiman Saha (117) for the seventh wicket. The stand saw India declare on 603/9 with a lead of 152 runs over Australia.
Pujara’s effort, that spanned 668 minutes, was an exercise in concentration and left Twitter buzzing.
After property space, the marathon knock soon shared space with the other major talking point in the day.
Calls for Arsene Wenger’s ouster as manager from Arsenal also found a connection to Pujara’s epic knock.
Scored at a strike rate of just 38.47, it was not a surprise that a few players in the dressing room chose to grab a quick power nap, until their number came up for batting.
Some members of the Twitter brigade used the opportunity to revisit a “stinging” statement made by a certain Australian spinner during the second Test.
Current and former cricketers weren’t too far behind in expressing their awe at the batsman’s gritty effort.
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