Mohammad Kaif urges young Indian cricketers to take a leaf out of Cheteshwar Pujara’s books

Cheteshwar Pujara scored a double hundred for Saurashtra against Jharkhand in the ongoing Ranji Trophy.

Cheteshwar Pujara celebrates after scoring 200 against Jharkhand in Ranji Trophy. (Image:

New Delhi: Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif urged the youngsters to learn from veteran Cheteshwar Pujara for his unwavering dedication to cricket. Pujara, who was overlooked in the Test series against South Africa, scored a sensational double century against Jharkhand in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. Pujara’s last Test for India was in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia.

Pujara remained unbeaten on 243 off 356 balls, including 30 fours, as Saurashtra piled up 578/4 in reply to Jharkhand’s 142 all out in the first innings. In the second innings, Jharkhand rode on Kumar Suraj’s 113 and failed to reach 306/3 on the day 4 stumps.

“Irrespective of what the national selectors think of him, Pujara will continue to score runs. His efforts should be a lesson to all youngsters playing the game,” Kaif wrote on ‘X’. Pujara’s double ton was his 61st first-class century. It also placed him in the list of highest century makers in first-class cricket, behind Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar and Rahul Dravid.

Regardless of what the national selectors think of him, Pujara continues to score runs. His efforts should be a lesson to all young people who play the game. #pujara pic.twitter.com/Py3cFlJJs5

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 8, 2024

India will host England in a five-match Test series at home later this month. Pujara has certainly made a statement to the BCCI selectors with his double ton. With Saurashtra playing three more Ranji Trophy matches before the India vs England Test series, another knockout could see him return to the Indian Test squad.

Meanwhile, Pujara is now level with Herbert Sutcliffe and Mark Ramprakash in scoring 17 double hundreds in first-class cricket. He is behind Don Bradman (37), Wally Hammond (36) and Patsy Hendren (22) overall. It was also the Indian Test specialist’s eighth double century in the Ranji Trophy. Only Paras Dogra is ahead of Pujara with nine double tons to his name.