Sussex captain Cheteshwar Pujara struck his second consecutive hundred in a Royal London ODI Cup match against Surrey on Sunday. His 131-ball 174 was studded with 20 fours and five sixes. This is now Pujara's career-best List A score.
Sussex racked up 378/6 in 50 overs. Pujara's hundred comes close on the heels of his 79-ball 107 against Warwickshire on Friday. His scorching knock included a 22-run over, in which he reeled off three fours and a six off Liam Norwell in the 45th over. He helped Sussex, which eventually fell short by four runs - a shot at chasing a mammoth 311 in 50 overs.
The 34-year-old is coming off a sensational stint in the County Championship Division Two. In the competition, Cheteshwar Pujara was the second-highest run-getter with 1094 runs in 13 innings at an average of 109.40. His five scores of 100+ during the season included three double-hundreds, the last of them (231) coming on his County Championship captaincy debut against Middlesex in July.
Pujara's unbeaten 201 in his first outing of the season against Derbyshire in April was his first triple-digit score in First-Class cricket in more than two years. His last hundred before that had come in January 2020 for Saurashtra against Karnataka in a Ranji Trophy match.
Pujara made a comeback to the national Test side after his brilliant run with Sussex
A torrent of runs for Sussex eventually earned him a recall to the national side. He returned to the Indian side for the rescheduled fifth Test against England in July. In the match, he scored 13 and 66 while opening the batting.
Having long been a mainstay in the Indian middle-order in Test cricket, Pujara had been dropped from the squad for the home series against Sri Lanka in February, following a lean patch that had seen him average 26.29 since the beginning of 2020 in the longest format
Exclusive: "Watch out for him," Shreevats Goswami's statement for Akash Deep in 2020 is proving right now
Only after Akash Deep's second Ranji Trophy game in 2020, Shreevats Goswami warned the cricketing world to watch out for him. Shreevats shared his thoughts on Akash Deep after his sensational performance at Edgbaston.
The entire cricketing world now recognizes the name Akash Deep, who dismantled the English batting lineup at Edgbaston, helping India achieve a historic victory in Birmingham.
His first-ever 10-wicket haul in a match places him alongside the greats of Indian cricket, such as Chetan Sharma, Kapil Dev, and Ishant Sharma.
Not only that, he has now listed himself beside legend Michael Holding for dismissing four of England’s top five batsmen in a single Test innings (Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Ollie Pope), all without catches, relying on bowled or LBW dismissals.
"Keep an eye on this guy," Goswami tweeted in 2020
Shreevats Goswami with Akash Deep at Eden Gardens. Image | Shreevats Goswami on X.
Shreevats Goswami, a former Bengal and IPL cricketer, recognised early on that Akash Deep was destined for the international stage. In fact, he was the first to alert the world about Akash Deep back in 2020.
Right after Akash Deep's only second Ranji Trophy game, where Akash Deep picked up a five-wicket haul, Shreevats tweeted out, "Keep an eye on this guy, AkashDeep is a rare 'fast 'bowler in domestic cricket. Surely to watch out for in future. And he can tonk a few too."
Keep an eye on this guy , Akash deep is a rare “fast “ bowler in domestic cricket . Surely to watch out for in future. And he can tonk a few too . https://t.co/2wXw3MUHsg
"Yes, I knew from the beginning that he was built for greatness," Shreevats told Sportz Point after Akash Deep's historic spell at Edgbaston.
Reflecting on Akash's maiden five-wicket haul in an innings, Shreevats remarked, "It was just a matter of time. After the first inning, I called him and said that he would get it in the second inning."
Akash Deep laoding for a delivery during a Ranji Trophy game in 2023.
What led him to believe Akash Deep could become a future international star? "It was his pace and strength," Shreevats replied.
"He was raw. Some bowlers hit the gloves very hard, and Akash Deep was one of them," he recalled, emphasising the potential he saw in him during the Ranji Trophy and other domestic tournaments.
"He was very young back then, and I knew with time, he would get faster and stronger. This is exactly what happened in the next two to three years."
In the next three years, Akash Deep played in the Indian Premier League alongside his favourite Virat Kohli and also helped Bengal reach the final of the Ranji Trophy, and then in 2024 went on to earn the Test cap as well.
"You see him, you will notice how strong he is - physically and mentally. He has gone through so many tough times, but nothing could distract him from his goal.
Great singing for @RCBTweets . Akash deep is a gun bowler who can clock 140+ consistently. He’s fit and strong . Have been amazing for Bengal recently . So happy for him ! Amazing guy too . Hope he gets a few game to show his class . pic.twitter.com/cyWe47djWJ
Akash Deep's journey - a testament to mental strength
Akash Deep at Eden Gardens after signing for Barisha Sporting Club.
Since his early days, Akash Deep has faced many challenges in his career and personal life.
Born in Bihar, he initially encountered rejection from his father regarding his pursuit of cricket. In 2010, he moved to Durgapur, West Bengal, in search of a job and later relocated to Kolkata.
With the assistance of a few local club officials, he signed with the United Club and began his journey in Bengal cricket. He excelled in local club cricket and was soon fast-tracked to the Bengal U-23 team, where he played a pivotal role in helping Bengal reach the final of the C.K. Nayudu tournament and win the U-23 One-Day tournament.
He quickly progressed to the Bengal senior team, and as they say, the rest is history. Even a career-threatening back injury and the loss of his brother and father within six months in 2015 could not break his mental resolve.
Following the Edgbaston Test, he revealed that his sister is battling cancer and dedicated his performance to her. These experiences illustrate his remarkable mental toughness.
Akash Deep after a picking up wicket in Ranji Trophy in 2023.
Along with his resilience, another quality that sets Akash apart is his hunger for improvement and greatness.
"He used to live in the C.A.B. dormitory. Many cricketers were around, but whenever I visited the indoor facilities or gym, I would always see Akash Deep putting in the effort. He always had the hunger to reach the international level," Shreevats shared.
Akash Deep after dismissing Ben Duckett. Image | X
Shreevats feels Akash Deep's ability to hit the wicket hard and extract something from the pitch will help him even on flatter pitches. Moreover, he can beat the batter's outside edge and inside edge, which makes him more threatening.
"He will beat your outside edge and inside edge. This is something which sets him apart from the other domestic bowlers."
"Look at the wicket of Joe Root - how he went wide of the crease, angled the ball and then straightened it to get Root out was just incredible."
Along with Joe Root's wicket, Shreevats was impressed to see how Akash Deep got Ben Duckett out. He feels that if Akash Deep and Ben Duckett face each other more in test cricket, he will make Ben his bunny.
"Just like Stuart Broad made David Warner his bunny in test cricket, I have the feeling that Akash Deep can also make Ben Duckett his bunny. Around the wicket, with the new ball - he will be deadly," Shreevats expressed.
— All Cricket Records (@Cric_records45) July 6, 2025
Who should share the new ball at Lord's?
After taking his 5-wicket haul, Akash Deep sprinted joyfully to the dugout to hug Bumrah and Shardul Thakur.
Shreevats feels that in the next test at Lord's, Akash Deep should share the new ball alongside Jasprit Bumrah. Throughout the entire second test, Akash Deep showed how lethal he is with the new ball, and that is why he wants him to run in with the new ball.
"He is capable of getting you wickets in any given situation. But, just how he has got Duckett and others out, I feel he should share the new ball along with Bumrah," Shreevats said.
Besides his bowling, Shreevats has always praised Akash Deep's batting ability from the start. He feels that Akash can even score a test ton in the next three to four years, given the opportunity.
Indian Captains to record two hundreds in a Test match
Discover the select few Indian captains to record two hundreds in a test match. Get the insights on how these leaders mastered both innings with extraordinary batting.
Since their first Test in 1932, India have witnessed 37 Test captains across 591 matches. Some gave us moments to cherish forever, while some won hearts with their individual excellence. Out of these trusted players with huge leadership roles, only 3 of them scored twin hundreds in a test match as a captain.
Shubham Gill is the most recent name etched on this list, who replaced Rohit Sharma (following his retirement) in 2025. Read till the end to get the full story.
Here's the list of Indian captains to record two hundreds in a test match:
1. Sunil Gavaskar (107 & 182*) vs WI | 1978
Sunil Gavaskar representing India as a test captain. Image | X
First innings: 107 runs
Second innings: 182* runs
The fearless Indian cricketer, Sunil Gavaskar, is the first captain to record two hundreds in a test match. He also holds a special record of scoring twin hundreds 3 times in his career, which is the highest by any Indian batter.
Gavaskar had taken over the captaincy for the first time after his 1976 apperance as a stand-in captain during a New Zealand tour. His two centuries in both the innings were instrumental in India drawing the test match against a strong West Indies side.
Virat Kohli celebrates his century against Australia in BGT 2014. Image | Mint
First innings: 115 runs (184 balls)
Second innings: 141 runs (175 balls)
Virat Kohli showed an extraordinary display of batting in the Adelaide test against Australia in 2014, scoring two hundreds in a match. He was the first visiting batsman in 53 years to score two centuries in one test in Australian soil.
This was Kohli's captaincy debut, where he etched his name into the record books. He was the only centurion, as well as overall highest scorer in the match, who single-handedly kept India on the run. Despite his heroic efforts, India fell short of 48 runs.
However, a record like this, coming from the most successful Test captain for India is a moment of pride for the nation.
Shubman Gill celebrates his double century against England in 2025. Image | BBC
First innings: 269 runs (387 balls)
Second innings: 161 runs (162 balls)
One of the youngest cricketers to lead India in tests, Shubman Gill, recently made history with two hundreds against England in July'25. He scored a double century that helped India set a massive first-innings total, and followed up with another ton in the second innings.
India secured their first-ever test win at Edgbaston, where Gill played the key role to register his first win as test captain. He also broke multiple batting records to set the new ones with his phenomenal performance.
Team India’s Record in Knockout Games – ODI vs T20 vs Test
Discover India's complete knockout stage record across all formats. Look back at their inspiring journey and get the accurate numbers for team India's record in knockout games – ODI vs T20 vs Test.
Team India played their first knockout game in cricketing history against England in the 1983 Cricket World Cup semi-final match. Not only did they win the semi-final, but they also stood victorious in the Final against West Indies. This marked the beginning of India's journey in knockouts.
Over the years, they have played a total of 39 knockout matches, starting from the 1983 WC semi-final to the 2025 Champions Trophy Final. The good part about the two mentioned matches is that they won both games.
Get ready to dive into a detailed overview of team India's record in knockout games – ODI vs T20 vs Test.
Team India’s record in ODI knockouts (29 appearances)
India celebrates their 2025 Champions Trophy victory against New Zealand. Image | NDTV
Total matches played: 29
Won: 18
Lost: 11
India played the maximum number of knockout matches in the ODI format of the game, having an impressive record of victories. They won 18 matches out of their 29 appearances, which includes memorable World Cup and Champions Trophy title wins.
Out of these knockout matches, 8 appearances were in the Finals of the respective tournaments. They won 4 finals and lost 4, with a win percentage of 50. What makes it more special is that all of these achievements came in different eras of cricket for India.
It started with the 1983 WC win led by Kapil Dev, which was carried forward by MS Dhoni's unparalleled squad of the 2011 WC, followed by the 2013 Champions Trophy triumph, and most recently, the 2025 Champions Trophy victory by the modern era of the Indian cricket team.
Team India’s record in T20I knockouts (8 appearances)
India celebrates the 2024 T20 World Cup victory against South Africa. Image | Rediff
Total matches played: 8
Won: 5
Lost: 3
India has done exceptionally well in the shortest format, like T20, with 5 wins in 8 appearances. They played their first T20 knockout match against Australia, in the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup semifinal and won. They also ended the tournament on a brilliant note with a win against Pakistan in the Final match.
Talking about the final appearance, India played 3 finals and won twice among them. These include the 2007 WC win and the thrilling 2024 World Cup victory over South Africa.
India has showcased high potential and growth in the T20Is, having clinched their 2nd WC title under Rohit Sharma's captaincy. This victory, along with the rising talents doing extremely well in tournaments like the IPL, has raised the hopes higher for India in this format.
Team India’s record in Test knockouts (2 appearances)
Virat Kohli walking past the mace after India's defeat against Australia in the WTC 2023 Final. Image | Sportstar
Total matches played: 2
Won: 0
Lost: 2
Coming down to the longest format of the game, India had quite a hard luck playing in Test knockout games. Despite reaching the finals of the World Test Championship back-to-back, they could not taste victory in any.
The first time India played a Test knockout was in the 2021 WTC Final against New Zealand, where they lost by 8 wickets. The team bounced back well in the following season (2021-23) and reached the final, only to face a heartbreaking defeat by 209 runs against Australia.
ENG U19 vs IND U19: Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes records to score 143 from just 78 balls
Viabhav Suryavanshi broke the record for the fastest Youth ODI ton with his incredible innings of 143 from just 78 balls against the England U19 team at Worcester.
England U19 captain Thomas Rew won the toss and decided to field first, for which Vaibhav Suryavanshi was waiting. Suryavanshi was coming to this 4th Youth ODI match after scoring 48, 45 and 86 in the first three matches of the tour.
So, with India batting first, the 14-year-old opener had the opportunity to score his first ton of the tour.
Suryavanshi started the match the way he always does, by smashing bowlers all over the park. He first reached his fifty in just 24 balls and then went on to reach his ton in just 52 balls with 7 sixes and 10 fours. This is also said to be the fastest-known hundred in Youth ODIs.
Even after the ton, Vaibhav kept the momentum up for India as he broke the record for the most sixes in an innings (10) for India Under-19s in Youth ODIs, breaking his own record of 9 sixes.
🚨 Teenage sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi hits a sublime 52-ball hundred at Visit Worcestershire New Road and ends out on 143 from 73 deliveries, with 23 boundaries 🤯🇮🇳 @BCCIpic.twitter.com/xD3TWqEMnz
Vaibhav was finally dismissed by Ben Mayes on 143 from 78 balls. However, another IPL star and the captain of India U19, Ayush Mahtre, could only score 5 in this match.
Yashasvi Jasiwal, the 23-year-old young opener, has now equalled the record of Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag to become the joint fastest Indian to score 2000 test runs.
In the history of Indian Test Cricket, reaching the 2000-run milestone has always been a matter of pride. While many have achieved this feat, only a few have done so with remarkable speed.
Currently, the record for the fastest Indians to score 2000 test runs is jointly held by Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid, accomplishing it in 40 innings.
Let's look at the elite list of players who previously set the standard by being the fastest Indians to reach 2000 test runs.
🚨 Fastest to 2000 test runs by an Indian!
Yashasvi Jaiswal equals Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag's record to become the fastest Indian to reach 2000 test runs! 💯
Young Yashasvi Jaiswal has been one of the brightest prospects of the Indian test cricket team since his debut. The 23-year-old just equalled the record for the fastest 2000 test run by an Indian during the second inning of the Edgbaston test against England.
With an outstanding batting average of 53.10, Yashasvi now has 2018 runs in just 21 test matches. In his young career, the southpaw opener has scored 5 test centuries, among which three came in away conditions.
Given the time left in his career and his determination to score big and quickly, Indian fans can surely hope that Yashasvi will keep on breaking many test records in future.
2. Rahul Dravid (40 innings)
Rahul Dravid representing India in tests. Image | Mint
Rahul Dravid, famously known as "The Wall" for his brilliant defensive technique and concentration in tests, reached 2000 test runs in just 40 innings. His ability to bat for longer periods and wear down the opposition was a key aspect of India's Test success.
Virender Sehwag representing India in tests. Image | Instagram
Virender Sehwag, the aggressive opening batsman, matched Dravid's record by also reaching 2000 test runs in 40 innings. He was known for his fearless approach while batting at the top of the order.
He is also the only Indian to score 2 triple centuries in his test career.
4. Vijay Hazare (43 innings)
Vijay Hazare representing India in tests. Image | ESPNcricinfo
An icon of Indian cricket's early era, Vijay Hazare reached 2000 test runs in 43 innings. He was an incredible run-scorer in his time, known for his elegant batting and contributions.
His contributions mattered highly during a period when Indian cricket was finding its status on the internationalstage.
5. Gautam Gambhir (43 innings)
Gautam Gambhir representing India in tests. Image | BBC
The bold left-handed opener, Gautam Gambhir, also reached 2000 test runs in 43 innings. He was a crucial part of India's top order in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Gambhir was known for his mental toughness and ability to play long innings when required, with high determination and focus.
Sunil Gavaskar representing India in tests. Image | Facebook
Sunil Gavaskar, one of the greatest openers in Test cricket history, scored 2000 test runs in 44 innings. He was known for batting fearlessly and facing West Indian fast bowlers without modern protective gear.
Gavaskar was the first player to reach the 10000-run mark in test cricket history, and also holds the 3rd place for most runs for India in tests.
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