Taunton: Cheteshwar Pujara’s sublime form in the English summer continued to shine as he struck his second List A century in just three games, propelling Sussex County Cricket to a convincing four-wicket triumph over Somerset in a thrilling One Day Cup encounter.
Pujara’s masterful performance guided Sussex in their pursuit of a challenging 319-run target, as he remained unbeaten on a scintillating 117 off 113 deliveries. The seasoned batsman showcased his class and determination, steering his team to victory with 11 balls to spare in a remarkable display on Friday.
Despite Pujara’s heroic effort, Sussex’s standing in Group B of the competition remained unchanged, as they secured their first win of this year’s campaign but still found themselves at the bottom of the table among the nine participating teams.
Cheteshwar Pujara’s exceptional run of form has been the highlight of the last two county seasons for Sussex. Following his participation in the World Test Championship final for India, Pujara’s contributions have been instrumental in both first-class and List A matches. Notably, Pujara’s stint with Sussex was extended after he fulfilled his commitments in the Duleep Trophy for the West Zone.
Despite his reputation as a specialist in red-ball cricket, Pujara boasts an astounding average of 58.48 in 121 List A games. His century in Friday’s clash marked his 16th in the 50-over format, a testament to his versatility. Pujara’s inning was punctuated by 11 boundaries, showcasing his ability to rotate the strike and find the fence.
In response to Somerset’s formidable total of 318/6 in 50 overs, driven by Andrew Umeed’s impressive 119 and Curtis Campher’s commanding 101, Pujara’s composed approach during the chase proved pivotal. He orchestrated an 88-run partnership with Tom Alsop (60) and formed several crucial stands that propelled Sussex beyond their target.
Reflecting on his recent performances in the one-day competition, Pujara’s sequence of scores includes 23 against Durham, an unbeaten 106 against Northamptonshire, and 56 against Derbyshire before his extraordinary inning in the recent clash.
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