Run-machine Pujara surpasses Virat Kohli, Babar Azam in elite list with impressive ton for Sussex

Cheteshwar Pujara is on a run-scoring spree for Sussex. After a splendid run in theCounty Championship Division Two -- endingwithatally of 1094 runs in 13 innings at109.40 including three double tonsamongfive centuries -- India's Test specialist has carried his unbelievable form in the Royal LondonOne-Day Cup. As a result,the right-hander scored histhird century in five games for Sussex.

With this, Pujara has surpassed India's former captain Virat Kohli and Pakistan's batting sensation and all-format skipper Babar Azam in an elusive list tostand second in world cricket. Riding on a 75-ball century before he ended at 132 off 90 deliveries, Pujara combined with openerTom Alsop's unbeaten 189 to help Sussex post a mammoth 400/4 versusMiddlesexinGroup A tie, in Hove.

Courtesy of his impressive knock, Pujara has surpassed both Kohli and Babar to achieve the second-highest batting average in List A cricket consisting of aminimum of 100 innings. The right-hander's current average of 57.48 in 109 innings is only second to Australia's former finisher Michael Bevan, who averaged 57.86 in 153 innings. Meanwhile, Babar comes nextcomprising an average of 56.56 in 153 innings followed by Kohli. The Indian star batter follows suit with an average of56.60 in 286 innings.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

ALSO READ |Virat Kohli vs Babar Azam: Wasim Akram joins 'best batsman' debate ahead of India-Pakistan Asia Cup clash

In addition, Pujara's third ton of the tournament helped himbecome only the second batter in this season to go beyond the 500-run mark. Post his 132-run knock, which helped Sussex beat Middlesex by a whopping 157-run margin, histally now reads a staggering614 runs in eight innings. His scores are as follows- 9 (16), 63 (71), 14* (7), 107 (79), 174 (131), 49* (68), 66 (66), 132 (90).