Cheteshwar Pujara, the new Mr Dependable of the Indian Cricket team has become the second fastest cricketer to reach 4000 test runs earlier today. Pujara was batting against Sri Lanka in first innings of the second test match against Sri Lanka, being played in Colombo.
Cheteshwar Pujara reached the milestone in his 50th test and 84th inning. With this, he became the joint second fastest to 4000 test runs and now shares the record with former Indian captain, Rahul Dravid. The fastest to touch the milestone of 4000 test runs are Virender Sehwag and Sunil Gavaskar jointly, who achieved the feat in 81 innings.
In his 50th test, Pujara also scored a century and became the 7th Indian batsman to do so. Before him, other players who scored a century in the 50th test include the likes of Virat Kohli, VVS Laxman, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Gundappa Viswanath and Polly Umrigar.
Talking of the overall stats, the fastest to reach 4000 test runs is all time great, Don Bradman. He reached the milestone in just 48 innings. Herbert Sutcliffe is at the second position who took 68 innings to score 4000 test runs. The list is followed by the West Indian pair of Every Weekes and Viv Richards, who took 71 innings respectively.
Pujara started his Indian career against Australia in Bengaluru in the year 2010. However, an injury put him aside for nearly two years and he was first noted for his impressive 159 on test comeback against New Zealand. That was the first series India played after the retirement of Rahul Dravid. Since then, Pujara has established himself as the dependable number 3 for the country in test format.
PS. Cheteshwar Pujara has also been recommended for prestigious Arjun award this year.