- 206* in the first innings against England at Ahmedabad in 2012
The first of the four-Test series against England was played at Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad, between 15th and 19th November, 2012. India electing to bat, lost their first wicket in the form of Gautam Gambhir, who scored 45 runs but put up an opening stand of 134 runs alongwith his dashing opening partner Virendra Sehwag.
Thereafter what followed was a ‘run feast’ as Pujara, who had joined Sehwag, added a very valuable 90 runs for the second wicket, before Sehwag was consumed by Graeme Swann but not before he had notched up 117 runs.
After losing Sachin Tendulkar (13) and Virat Kohli (19) pretty cheaply, Pujara combined with Yuvraj Singh (74) to add 110 runs for the fifth wicket. Pujara’s half-century came in 67 balls with the help of 6 fours while his century took 119 balls and was aided by 13 hits to the fence.
Pujara’s 150 runs was made in 299 deliveries, studded with 18 boundaries. His maiden double-ton was achieved facing 374 deliveries, sending the red-cherry 21 times to the ropes.
After adding another 66 runs for the seventh-wicket alongwith Ravichandran Ashwin (23) and running out of partners, Pujara remained unbeaten on a well made 206* runs off 389 deliveries with the help of 21 fours in a stay of 513 minutes at the crease.
Pujara also notched up another unbeaten 41* runs in the second innings. Eventually India won the game by 9 wickets.
Pujara was awarded the Player of the Match award.
