An unwanted record for Cheteshwar Pujara in Test cricket was bagged in the recently concluded 2nd Test match between India and South Africa played at the Super Sport Park in Centurion. Pujara was dismissed RUN OUT in both the innings of the 2nd Test and he became the first player from India to be dismissed twice in a single Test match in that fashion.
First Innings dismissal: Pujara dabbed the full delivery from Morne Morkel to mid-on, looked to steal a quick single which was never there. Ngidi’s throw hits the non-strikers stumps on the bounce. Pujara is miles out, even with a full stretched dive. And he is RUN OUT off the very first delivery he faced which is termed as a GOLDEN DUCK in cricket terminology.
Second Innings dismissal: Pujara fell short of the crease running for the third run. And the worst part about this suicidal run was he was taking on AB de Villiers who fired in a throw from deep backward point half-volley to the South African wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock who whips out the bails in a flash. A big dive doesn’t save him and he is gone! “Ultra slow” were the words used by Michael Holding describing this dismissal from the commentary box.
Peter McAlister of Australia became the first player ever to be dismissed as a RUN OUT in both the innings of a single Test match – in the year 1908 against Engalnd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
