Cheteshwar Pujara, known for his grit and determination in red-ball cricket, delivered another masterclass in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 by scoring a magnificent 234 for Saurashtra against Chhattisgarh. Despite being left out of India’s national team, Pujara continues to make a strong case for a recall with his phenomenal performances on the domestic circuit.
Pujara’s double century, which came off 383 balls, not only anchored Saurashtra’s innings but also allowed him to reach several personal milestones, further solidifying his legacy as one of India’s greatest red-ball cricketers. Here’s a look at five significant milestones Pujara achieved during this innings.
#5 66th First-Class Century
Pujara’s knock of 234 included his 66th first-class century, which he reached in 197 balls. This century puts Pujara in elite company, surpassing West Indian legend Brian Lara’s tally of first-class centuries. Among Indian cricketers, only Sunil Gavaskar (81), Sachin Tendulkar (81), and Rahul Dravid (68) have scored more centuries in first-class cricket than Pujara.
#4 Most First-Class Double Centuries by an Indian
Pujara didn’t stop at just a century; he converted it into a double century, marking his 18th first-class double century. This achievement now places him at the top for the most first-class double centuries by an Indian, ahead of legends like Vijay Merchant and Sunil Gavaskar. Globally, he trails only Don Bradman (37), Wally Hammond (36), and Patsy Hendren (22), who have more double tons in first-class cricket.
#3 Joint-Most Double Centuries in Ranji Trophy History
By scoring 234, Pujara also equaled the record for the most double centuries in Ranji Trophy history, tying with Paras Dogra at nine double centuries. This milestone cements Pujara’s status as a domestic cricket giant, having consistently delivered for Saurashtra over the years. His ability to convert starts into big scores has been key to his team’s success in the Ranji Trophy.
#2 Surpassing 21,000 First-Class Runs
During his marathon innings, Pujara crossed the 21,000-run mark in first-class cricket, becoming only the fourth Indian batter to achieve this feat. He joins an exclusive club of Indian legends that includes Sunil Gavaskar (25,834), Sachin Tendulkar (25,396), and Rahul Dravid (23,784). This milestone underscores Pujara’s consistency and resilience across his career, marking him as one of India’s most prolific run-getters in the red-ball format.
#1 Fourth-Highest First-Class Hundreds by an Indian
With his 66th first-class century, Pujara is now just two centuries behind Rahul Dravid, who has 68 to his name. This places Pujara fourth on the list of Indian cricketers with the most first-class centuries, behind only Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar, who both have 81. This remarkable achievement showcases Pujara’s endurance and dominance in first-class cricket, where he continues to challenge the records set by some of India’s greatest batters.
Pujara’s remarkable knock of 234 in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 not only reinforced his status as a red-ball specialist but also brought him closer to some of the most prestigious records in Indian cricket history. His continued success in domestic cricket is a testament to his skill, perseverance, and unwavering dedication to the game.