Australia vs India: Cheteshwar Pujara goes past Rahul Dravid to own a unique record

A couple of years ago, Cheteshwar Pujara played the longest Test innings by an Indian batsman with respect to the number of balls faced. He scored a massive 202 off 525 balls in Ranchi in 2017. That is the most number of balls faced by an Indian in a Test innings (where balls faced is known). By doing so, he broke the previous record held India’s Wall Rahul Dravid who had faced 495 deliveries for his career-best 270 in Rawalpindi in 2004.

In Sydney, Pujara scored a splendid 193 runs off 373 balls. His innings included 22 fours and exhibited a lot of grit. After KL Rahul’s wicket fell cheaply on Day 1, it was India’s number three who put India in the driver’s seat. He formed a strong second-wicket partnership with Mayank Agarwal and despite the latter getting out, Pujara kept stitching valuable stands. He provided stability as the wickets of Kohli, Rahane and Vihari fell.

A superb knock came to end when the batsman himself made a mistake to give his wicket to the off-spinner Nathan Lyon when on 193. It was heartbreaking since he just fell short of another double century. But persistence and balance on the field were answered with applause on social media by cricketers and fans all around the world.

Pujara leading the charts

With one innings still remaining in this series for Cheteshwar Pujara, he has already faced 1258 deliveries. It is the most by an Indian cricketer in a Test series in Australia. By doing so, the 30-year-old once again broke another record of Rahul Dravid’s. The latter had faced 1203 balls in 2003-04 series between India and Australia.

The other two Indian batsmen who have faced more than 1000 deliveries are Virat Kohli and Sunil Gavaskar. While Indian captain Kohli faced 1,093 balls in the 2014-15 tour, Sunil Gavaskar’s played 1,032 balls in the 1977-78 series.

Most balls faced by an Indian in a Test series on Australian soil:

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