Cheteshwar Pujara and Australia’s best batter, Steve Smith, put up 61 runs for the fourth wicket.
In Friday’s game against Worcestershire, senior Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara extended his impressive form on the English County circuit by scoring his third century in as many games for Sussex. Pujara has been instrumental for Sussex ever since he returned to England for another County season, beginning with scores of 115 and 35 in a two-wicket victory against Durham. Pujara scored 151 from 238 balls against Gloucestershire, with 20 fours and 2 sixes, after failing in both of his innings against Yorkshire.
The team skipper, Pujara, scored 136 runs on Friday with the help of 19 fours and one six off 189 balls. He hit 14 fours and a six in getting to his century, which took 138 balls.
Together with Australian batting superstar Steve Smith, who has also joined Sussex for a three-match spell prior to the Ashes beginning on June 16 at Edgbaston, he scored 61 runs for the fourth wicket.
Ollie Robinson, an English seamer who will play against Australia’s Smith-led batting attack next month, dominated the first innings for Sussex by claiming seven wickets.
The Indian team has been hit hard by a series of injuries and the absence of important players, so Pujara’s strong performance in England is a welcome boost.
Opening batter KL Rahul confirmed on Friday that he would miss the rest of the Indian Premier League and the World Test Championship final next month against Australia because of a thigh injury.
In addition to fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and wicketkeeper Shreyas Iyer, Rahul was also ruled out of the WTC final due to injury.
On June 7-11, 2018, the WTC final will be held at The Oval, pitting the top-ranked Test team in the world, India, against the defending champions, Australia.
