‘Comeback in Test loading’ – Fans react as Cheteshwar Pujara scores double century in Ranji Trophy 2024 ahead of India’s Team selection for England Tests

India star cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara scored a double century for Saurashtra in the ongoing edition of the Ranji Trophy on January 7. Notably, the top-order batter was not a part of the South Africa Test squad after his poor show in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final, which made them lose the game against Australia at the Oval in London.

However, the star cricketer stunned the cricketing fraternity by scoring a double century on Day 3 of the game in the clash against Jharkhand at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. Meanwhile, the right-handed batter also showed his form in the county championship, and despite that, he failed to impress selectors enough to be in India’s Test squad during the South Africa tour.

Meanwhile, the 35-year-old cricketer is looking to place himself in the Test squad for the five matches of the Test series slated to commence on January 25. It seems that star batter Cheteshwar Pujara might get the call for the England sessions as Team India failed with bat in the South Africa tour, which can allow him to be placed in the Test squad in order to prepare for the WTC Final 2025.

England tour of India

England will face India in a five-match Test series that starts on January 25 in Hyderabad. Notably, the second match is scheduled to take place at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam from February 2–6. In addition, the third Test will be played at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot from February 16 to 20. Meanwhile, the last two games are scheduled at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi (February 23–27) and the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala (March 7–11).

England’s squad for the five-match Test series against India: Ben Stokes (C), Rehan Ahmed, James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ben Foakes (WK), Tom Hartley, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, and Mark Wood.