On a memorable Saturday, Cheteshwar Pujara showcased his batting prowess once again, notching his second century of the County season while representing Sussex against Middlesex at the historic Lord’s Cricket ground. Pujara’s sublime innings at the iconic venue added another feather to his cap, affirming his skill and resilience on the cricketing stage. His century marked a significant contribution to Sussex’s campaign, further solidifying his reputation as a dependable batsman in the County circuit.
Pujara is Near to a Milestone:
With his 65th First-Class century, Cheteshwar Pujara continues to etch his name in cricketing history, particularly for Sussex, where this marked his 10th century. Pujara’s feat places him in esteemed company, trailing only legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar, who have 81 centuries each, and Rahul Dravid, who boasts 68. This remarkable achievement underscores Pujara’s enduring legacy as one of the most prolific run-scorers in the history of the game.
In a masterclass of patience and precision, Cheteshwar Pujara crafted his second century of the innings, facing 258 deliveries and punctuating his innings with 12 well-timed boundaries. Prior to this standout performance, Pujara showcased his batting prowess with a formidable 113-run innings, pivotal in securing a victory for his team by a margin of 124 runs. His consistent contributions underline his invaluable role in steering his team towards success on the cricketing stage.
Pujara’s This year in Game so far:
Back in February, Pujara solidified his status as a luminary in Indian domestic cricket, joining an elite group as the fourth batsman to surpass 20,000 runs in first-class cricket. Achieving this milestone in 260 matches at an impressive average of 51.96, he continues to leave an indelible mark on the cricketing landscape. In a significant development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled a novel ‘Test cricket incentive scheme’ in March, aiming to incentivize players who prioritize their performance in red-ball cricket. This strategic move underscores the board’s commitment to fostering excellence and encouraging a stronger focus on Test cricket among players.
BCCI to Encourage Players to Play Test:
BCCI secretary Jay Shah revealed that the newly introduced scheme will particularly benefit players such as Pujara, who are not associated with any IPL franchise. By emphasizing Test cricket, the scheme aims to ensure that deserving players receive recognition and rewards for their contributions to the longer format of the game.
The essence of this scheme lies in enhancing the remuneration for Test match cricket. It ensures that non-IPL contracted players have the opportunity to earn a substantial income through their participation in Test matches. Players featuring in less than 50% of the matches receive Rs 15 lakh, while those in the squad for over 50% or 75% obtain additional incentives based on their involvement.
Commencing from the 2022-’23 season, the BCCI’s scheme excludes players who participated in fewer than three matches. For instance, Pujara, featuring in all six Test matches, earns Rs 15 lakh per game as match fees and an additional Rs 45 lakh as an incentive. This move ensures that players contributing significantly to Test cricket receive deserved recognition and financial rewards.
For the 2022-’23 season, Pujara’s earnings tally to Rs 3.6 crores, considering his consistent presence in all six Test matches. Meanwhile, Umesh Yadav, featuring in four Tests and part of the squad for all six, qualifies for Rs 22.5 lakh as a non-playing incentive for two matches and Rs 45 lakh for the remaining four, totaling Rs 3.15 crore.
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