Continuing his brilliant run, Cheteshwar Pujara scored 152 not out to lead Saurashtra’s fightback against Tamil Nadu on the third day of their Ranji Trophy tie. Pujara’s 25th first-class ton and his 260-run unbeaten fourth wicket partnership with skipper Jaydev Shah (133*) ensures the game enters the final day with chances of not seeing a decision even on the basis of the first innings lead.
Tamil Nadu had declared at 565 for 8 and Saurashtra were 326 for the loss of three wickets at stumps on Saturday.
Testing spell
Pujara, who had walked in to bat on Friday evening, negotiated a testing spell early morning by L Balaji, who got help from overcast conditions. Once that phase was seen off, Pujara played with ease as the wicket got easy and Tamil Nadu bowlers struggled to make a breakthrough.
Pujara came into this match on the back of two successive centuries — against West Indies in the Mumbai Test and against Bengal in a Ranji game.
Earlier in the season, Pujara had made 306* for India A against the West Indies A at Hubli.