Pujara Misses Double Ton by 7 Runs, Lauded for Outstanding Knock

Cheteshwar Pujara missed out on his maiden overseas double century by 7 runs in the fourth Test against Australia.

Cheteshwar Pujara missed out on his maiden overseas double century by seven runs on Day 2 of India’s fourth and final Test against Australia on Friday, 4 January. The 30-year-old was caught out by Lyon off his own delivery in the second session of the day.

While he missed scoring his fourth double ton, and third against the Aussies, Pujara’s incredible 193-run knock helped India cross 400 in their first innings.

9 hours, 8 minutes and 373 balls later - @cheteshwar1 walks back after scoring 193 👏🙌🙌 #TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/atOD7TeAOD

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 4, 2019

Pujara also crossed several milestones in the morning session of the second day.

Firstly, he went past 153, his previous highest overseas Test score, against both South Africa (Johannesburg, 2013) and Sri Lanka (Galle, 2017).

He also became only the third Indian batsman to score 500-plus runs in a Test series against Australia, after Rahul Dravid in 2003-04 and Virat Kohli in 2014-15.

In doing so, he also batted 1200-plus deliveries thus far in the four matches, the most for an Indian batsman against Australia in a Test series, ahead of Dravid's 1203 balls faced in 2003-04.

Twitter Heaps Praise on Pujara

Pujara walked back to the hut to a standing ovation from the SCG crowd as he raised his bat with a slight smile, showing little signs of disappointment. And rightly so. With three centuries so far, he has shown incredible form this series.

After his incredible knock at Sydney, star cricketers Virender Sehwag and Kumar Sangakkara heaped praise on Pujara.

Test match batting at its best by Pujara. @cheteshwar1 has been the difference between the 2 teams for me. To be able to bat for such long periods of time is a testament to his concentration and understanding of the game. #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/7GJmJieOAk

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 4, 2019

Chitt ke Ishwar, another name for Lord Shiva - Cheteshwar Pujara.
Destroyed Australia’s chances in the series, most number of balls batted by an Indian in a series against Australia. Outstanding 193, memorable knock pic.twitter.com/jEcTWhs7kQ

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 4, 2019

A great lesson to all batsmen in the series and tests in general. @cheteshwar1 showing how trusting your strengths and being unashamedly dogged in technique and concentration brings great rewards.

— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) January 4, 2019

The end of an epic knock from Cheteshwar Pujara!#AUSvIND | @toyota_aus pic.twitter.com/J2php55Ktl

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 4, 2019

He may have missed double ton, but this has been one heck of a knock. Held innings together, showed watertight technique, as also wide and fine range of attacking strokes. Take a bow @cheteshwar1!

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 4, 2019