Cricket is seeing a plethora of T20 cricket being played both in the domestic level and the international level. India’s test match number 3 batsman, Cheteshwar Pujara though is sizzling it out in the Royal London Cup. The 34 year old known for his dour batting and ability to grind out attacks on Friday showed a different facet to his game as he carved open the Warwickshire bowling attack. Pujara scored a blistering ton but saw his team fall short by 4 runs in a chase which kept the fans of both the teams on their toes.
Pujara displays his might in the 45th over –
Chasing 311 to win, Sussex were placed at 241 for 6 at the end of the 44th over with the Brighton based side still needing 70 runs from 36 balls. That’s when Pujara decided to cut loose againt Liam Norwell. Pujara batting on 66 hit the first ball for a four in what looked like an improvised scoop shot. The next ball was hit for 2 runs, the third ball saw Pujara play yet another fancy scoop shot. The 4th ball saw hit the ball over the off side for 2 more runs to make it 12 runs off 4 balls. The 5th ball saw Norwell being hit over his head for a six and the last ball was again hit down the ground for a 4. This got Sussex 22 runs off the over as Pujara went to 88 and the equation was 48 off 30 balls.
Pujara’s ton goes in vain –
Faced with chasing 311 to win, Sussex saw Harrison Ward fall for 22 as fellow Opener Ali Orr and Tom Clark then added 77 for the 2nd wicket. Clark was out for 30 that’s when Sussex skipper Pujara walked in at 4. Orr and Pujara added 60 for the 3rd wicket with Orr falling for 81, but Pujara kept the score board ticking as he scored a quickfire century which came in quick time. Pujara was the 7th player out for 107 off 79 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes.
4 2 4 2 6 4
— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) August 12, 2022
TWENTY-TWO off the 47th over from @cheteshwar1. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/jbBOKpgiTI
Krunal Pandya claims 3 –
At the other end was another Indian player who is trying to make a comeback in the white ball scheme of things. Krunal Pandya who is playing for Warwickshire as the overseas player picked 3 for 51 from his 10 overs. Pandya got the wicket of Tom Clark and then got the key wicket of Ali Orr. Pandya came back towards the end to get rid of Delray Rawlins for 11.
Yates helps Warwickshire reach 310 –
Opener Michael Yates scored 114 from 111 balls with 14 fours and 2 sixes, as he was ably supported by Michael Burgess who scored 58. Captain, Will Rhodes scored 70 ball 76 with 7 fours and 2 sixes as the Warwickshire side scored 310 from their 50 overs, Pandya was out for a 2nd ball duck with the bat.