Cheteshwar Pujara’s marvellous knock on Day 2 of the second Test versus Sri Lanka made him the second highest run-getter in 2017. The year 2017 has been a memorable year for the Saurashtrian who features in the whites only. When India went into bat after dismissing Sri Lanka for 205. Cheteshwar Pujara needed just 22 runs to breach 1000 run-mark in Tests and a run more to pip Sri Lankan opener Karunaratne to the second spot. India went into bat with a change at the top, Murali Vijay, who was out of the team for some time was making a comeback along with KL Rahul. Rahul was dismissed early for 7 runs and that is when Pujara came in with 978 runs in the calendar year behind his back.
He displayed some sublime form, to soon breeze past the 1000-run mark and soon became the second highest run scorer in the calendar year, which is a nice feat to have for a person who only plays this form of the game. At the top of the table in terms of runs in Tests is Dean Elgar of South Africa with a total of 1097 runs in 11 Tests.
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Pujara is currently unbeaten on 70 at tea and giving him company at the other end is Murali Vijay who is on 106 as India have marched along to 185 for 1.
Mr. Consistent @cheteshwar1 brings up his 17th Test 50 #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/iC4iF8GIR0
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 25, 2017
Pujara compared to Elgar has played one Test less. Pujara averages 70+, whereas Elgar averages 50. 84. So, if that is to be taken into account, it is understood that Pujara has been the most successful Test batsman of 2017. But Elgar has 5 centuries compared to 3 from Pujara.
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But it seems he is heading for another ton. It seems no team this year has found a way past the concentration and defence of Cheteshwar Pujara, who has put India in a winning position in the Nagpur Test.
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As we speak, India trail by 11 runs and are in a commanding position to take a massive first innings lead. It could also give Virat Kohli the option to bat the visitors out of this Test.
