Cheteshwar Pujara's Historic SSC Colombo Marathon: How an Emergency Opener Carried His Bat for 145 Not Out When Murali Vijay got injured at SSC Colombo, Cheteshwar Pujara stepped up to open the innings and crafted an undefeated 145 off 289 balls. He remains one of only four Indian batters in Test history to carry his bat. Adapting to unexpected team requirements under grueling conditions is the true hallmark of a world-class cricketer. Test cricket has witnessed several moments where a middle-order specialist was pushed outside their comfort zone only to create history. One of the most remarkable instances occurred when Cheteshwar Pujara was asked to open the innings on a green, seaming track at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo. Batting through hostile bowling conditions, Pujara faced 289 deliveries to construct an undefeated 145-run marathon, achieving one of the rarest feats in international cricket: carrying his bat through a completed Test innings. Reminiscing at SSC Colombo and a Commentary Box Reunion As the Indian team steps out at the historic Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo this Sunday, a former batter sitting in the commentary box will look back on a landmark moment he scripted 11 years ago on the very same turf. During that 2015 encounter, Cheteshwar Pujara delivered a masterclass in concentration. Adding to the nostalgia, Ajinkya Rahane, who was part of the playing eleven during that intense Test match, will also be joining him in the commentary booth to share firsthand insights from that memorable victory. Murali Vijay's Injury and the Emergency Opening Slot The third and deciding Test of the 2015 series against Sri Lanka presented daunting conditions. The pitch at SSC Colombo offered substantial assistance to fast bowlers with its visible grass cover and seam movement. Just before the match, regular opening batsman Murali Vijay suffered an unexpected injury, leaving the team in urgent need of an anchor at the top of the order. Team management turned to middle-order pillar Cheteshwar Pujara to take on the brand-new ball against Sri Lanka's aggressive pace attack. A 289-Ball Battle for 145 Undefeated Runs Facing a relentless bowling attack on a helpful track, Pujara anchored the Indian innings with ultimate resilience. While wickets fell at regular intervals at the other end, Pujara stood like a wall. He ground out 145 not out off 289 balls, ensuring India reached a total of 312 runs in their first innings. Pujara remained undefeated when the final wicket fell, walking back to the pavilion with his bat carried. This heroic knock laid the foundation for India's decisive match victory and subsequent Test series win. Defining 'Carrying the Bat' and India's Elite Four In Test cricket terminology, 'carrying the bat' describes an opening batsman who faces the very first ball of the innings and remains not out when the rest of the team is dismissed. It represents the ultimate test of a batter's technique, focus, and mental fortitude. Over more than 150 years of Test cricket history, only four Indian players have achieved this milestone: Sunil Gavaskar in 1983, Virender Sehwag in 2008, Rahul Dravid in 2011, and Cheteshwar Pujara. Interestingly, Sunil Gavaskar stands as the sole pure opener in this list, while Sehwag, Dravid, and Pujara took up the mantle due to emergency team demands. What this means for you For Cricket Fans: This historical milestone highlights the crucial role of tactical flexibility and mental resilience in Test cricket during tough match situations. Questions & Answers 1. What is the 'carrying the bat' record in Test cricket? It is achieved when an opening batsman faces the first ball of the innings and remains undefeated until the entire team is bowled out. 2. How many runs did Cheteshwar Pujara score in his 2015 SSC Colombo innings? Cheteshwar Pujara scored 145 not out facing 289 balls in India's total of 312 runs. 3. Why did Cheteshwar Pujara have to open the innings in that match? Regular opener Murali Vijay suffered a sudden injury, leading the team management to give Pujara the opening responsibility. 4. Which Indian batsmen have achieved the 'carrying the bat' milestone in Tests? Only four Indian batsmen have achieved this feat: Sunil Gavaskar (1983), Virender Sehwag (2008), Rahul Dravid (2011), and Cheteshwar Pujara. 5. Who was the only pure opener among the four Indian batters with this record? Sunil Gavaskar was the only natural pure opener, while Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, and Cheteshwar Pujara took up the opening spot due to team circumstances. Inspiration & Lessons Lessons from Cheteshwar Pujara's Innings: • Embrace New Responsibilities: When team requirements change unexpectedly, adapting to a new role can lead to extraordinary success. • Unshakeable Patience: Anchoring the innings across 289 deliveries shows that composure and concentration overcome hostile situations. • Mental Toughness: Remaining undefeated while wickets fall around you demonstrates true resilience under pressure. https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/cheteshwar-pujara-ki-aitihasika-colombo-pari-jaba-majaburi-men-bane-opanara-ne-145-rana-banakara-racha-kairinga-da-baita-ka-kirtim-20007 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.