Published: Mar 21, 2017, 04:14 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 21, 2017, 04:14 PM (IST)
Rajkot: The Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) on Tuesday applauded performance of two Indian Test players Ravindra Jadeja and Cheteshwar Pujara in the ongoing series against Australia. The two play for Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy. “In the recent test matches against Australia, these two players [Jadeja and Pujara] have played most important roles,” claimed a SCA release. Jadeja pipped spin twin Ravichandran Ashwin to grab the pole position in the latest ranking for ICC Test bowlers while Pujara reached a career-high second rank among batsmen. “The SCA acknowledges and appreciates their valued contribution in the world of cricket that reflects the spirit and glory of Saurashtrians in cricket”, it added. Full Cricket Scorecard: India vs Australia, 3rd Test at Ranchi
Cheteshwar Pujara has a reason to celebrate as his knock of 202 has helped him gain four slots to reach a career-best second ranking with 861 points. The Saurashtra batsman has replaced New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, who is now in fifth place, also slipping behind Joe Root and Virat Kohli, who remained static at fourth position. Top-ranked Australian captain Steven Smith has reached a career-high rating of 941 points after scores of 178 not out and 21. While Ravindra Jadeja has closed in on a major landmark as his tally of 899 rating points has put him on the brink of becoming only the second Indian bowler after Ashwin to touch the 900-point mark.
Pujara has scored 1,259 runs in this season and is only behind Gautam Gambhir among the Indian batsman in terms of scoring most runs in a season. Gambhir scored 1,269 in 2008-09. Overall, Pujara is at 4th spot in the list after Ricky Ponting (1,483 in 2005-06), Matthew Hayden (1,287 in 2005-06) and Gambhir.
