Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara in the course of their 209-run stand against England on Friday became the Indian pair with the most number of runs in the last decade. The duo's average of 65.09 is the best among 13 India pairs with 2000 or more runs
Rajkot Test: Vijay and Pujara set new records, go past Dravid, Sehwag and Dhoni
Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay stitched together a 209-run partnership against England in the 1st innings at Rajkot. Pic/AFP
Opener Murali Vijay (126) and local boy Cheteshwar Pujara (124) led India's determined response to England's mammoth first innings total of 537 as they stitched together a 209-run stand for the second wicket to guide the hosts to 319/4 on the third day of the first Test at Rajkot on Friday.
ADVERTISEMENT
During their 209-run partnership, the duo broke several Indian records.
The pair came together quite early in the morning session after opener Gautam Gambhir (29) was sent back.
Both Pujara and Vijay reached their respective tons in the post-tea session as the duo took India to 277/1 before being separated by pacer Ben Stokes.
Pujara, who hit 17 boundaries in his 206-ball knock, attempted a shortish ball outside the off stump from Stokes only to land in skipper Alastair Cook's hands at wide slip.
Pujara's wicket brought in skipper Virat Kohli (26 not out), who along with Vijay added 41 runs for the third wicket before leg-spinner Adil Rashid sent back the Tamil Nadu right-hander.
Vijay, who switched gears after reaching his career's seventh century, blasted nine boundaries and four sixes in his 301-ball innings.
Vijay's vigil was over minutes before the close of play after he mistimed a googly from the leggie which popped off the glove straight to Haseeb Hameed at short leg.
The 209-run stand between Vijay and Pujara saw them becoming the Indian pair with the most number of runs in the last decade. The duo have till date put on 2081 runs in the 32 innings they have batted together, with a best stand of 370 runs. The stand of 209-run stand between the two is now the second highest partnership for India against England in Tests. The record is held by Gambhir and Rahul Dravid, who put on 314 runs for the second wicket in Mohali in 2008. The duo's average of 65.09 is the best among 13 India pairs with 2000 or more runs.
In the process they went past pairs like VVS Laxman-Rahul Dravid, Gautam Gambhir-Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli-Ajinkya Rahane and MS Dhoni-VVS Laxman.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
