Chesteshwar Pujara equals Ranji Trophy record for most double hundreds

India and Saurashtra batter Cheteswar Pujara equalled the record for most double hundreds in Ranji Trophy during Day 4 of the Group D game against Chhattisgarh on Monday, October 21 at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot. He brought up his landmark in 348 balls with the help of 22 fours and registered his 18th first-class double hundred and ninth in Ranji Trophy history.
He leveled with Paras Dogra in the elite list who also has nine double hundreds to his name in India’s premier domestic tournament. He also became the Indian player with most double centuries in first-class cricket with three of them coming in international cricket. His 18th double ton also helped him climb to the fourth spot in the list of most double centuries in first-class cricket leaving behind former England cricketers Herbert Sutcliffe and Mark Ramprakash who both have 17 first class centuries to their names.
Pujara is now only behind Elias Henry Hendren (22), Wally Hammond (36) and Don Bradman (37) in terms of most double centuries in first class cricket. Earlier, Pujara registered his 66th first class century and surpassed legendary West Indies batter Brian Lara’s tally of 65 tons.
Pujara walked to the crease with Saurashtra on 13/1 in 5.3 overs chasing Chhattisgarh’s massive first innings score of 578/7. He found an abled partner in Sheldon Jackson and the duo added 109 runs for the third wicket to take their team to stumps on Day 3 with the score on 177/2. On Day 4, Pujara resumed his innings on the overnight score of 75 and brought up his 25th century in Ranji Trophy.
He got involved in another crucial partnership with Arpit Vasavada adding 147 runs for the fourth wicket to take Saurashtra’ s score past 300. He brought up his double century in the final session and brought his team in a dominating position.