Cheteshwar Pujara becomes the first Indian to get run out in both innings of a Test

After losing three quick wickets, the Indian team finished the penultimate day of the second Test at Centurion in a precarious situation. India resumed Day 5 needing more 252 to win with Pujara and Parthiv Patel at the crease. All the responsibilities were shouldered on the duo who were expected to form a steady partnership and give India a chance to make a return in the match.

However, the batting woes continued as both the batsmen were shortlived in their innings. The most disappointing of them was the dismissal of Pujara. He yet again faltered and was run out by De Villiers. With this dismissal, Pujara became the 25th player in the history of the game to have been run out in both innings of a Test.

This is the first instance of this happening in 17 years, since Stephen Fleming in 1999-00. This is also the first occurrence of this sort on South African soil and the third against South Africa. Pujara also became the third No. 3 batsman to do this. John Trim (West Indies) is the only cricketer to have scored a pair in the Test. Trim and Pujara are two of the five batsmen to have scored at least one duck.

The 29-year-old is not famous for his athletic abilities and had a torrid time in South Africa so far, scoring a total of 49 runs in the 4 innings he batted, averaging 12.25. India was reduced to 49 for 4 after Pujara’s wicket and lost Parthiv Patel shortly thereafter.

An annoyed Michael Holding was compelled to remark on air: “Pujara is not the quickest between the wickets. In fact, that’s being kind. He’s ultra slow.”

Match Details

After the wickets of Pujara and Patel, the Indian lineup fell like a pack of cards. Only Rohit Sharma managed to hold fort for some time with a tenacious 47. After his loss, it was a mere cakewalk for the hosts as they registered a comprehensive 135 runs victory.

The numero uno Test team led by Virat Kohli had a lot to prove as they travelled to the rainbow nation with the aim to overturn their woeful record of never winning a Test in the nation. However, history prevailed as the Proteas sealed the 3 match Test series 2-0. And India can only hope the next time will be different.