Cheteshwar Pujara continued his dream run in the County Championship with yet another century for Sussex at Lord’s. Standing in for Tom Haines, who got ruled out due to injury, Pujara scored an unbeaten 115 to push Middlesex on backfoot at Lord’s.

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Pujara came to the crease in the 35th over, after the opening batter Tom Clark fell to Tom Helm on 33. He started the innings on a positive note, looking very comfortable against the likes of Tim Murtagh and Helm. He also forced Murtagh out of the attack after hitting two quick boundaries.

Pujara was ably assisted by Tom Alsop, who ended up making 135 before falling prey to Helm. The duo stitched a fourth-wicket stand of 219 runs to put Sussex in a commanding position. The 100-run stand came via a scintillating six from Pujara against Pieter Malan.

The batting got easier as the day passed, while Middlesex’s pacers got little assistance from the Lord’s surface and got tired quite early in the sweltering heatwaves that have rocked the entire nation.

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Soon after the new ball was taken, Pujara reached his fifth century of the season with a dab to mid-wicket. There were no signs of complacency after reaching the triple-figure mark, as he must be aiming for his third double century of the season.

In his first match for Sussex this season, Pujara slammed a gritty double century, and followed it with a century against Worcestershire. His second double hundred of the season came against Durham a week later. His proficiency in the County Championships also earned him an international comeback, months after he was dropped for the home series against Sri Lanka.

Pujara played the one-off Test against England in Edgbaston, and scored a gusty half-century in the second innings. While there are no more Test fixtures this year, his current form makes him one of the first names on the teamsheets whenever India plays their next game in this format.

Featured Image Credit: Sussex