Pujara also has three first-class triple-centuries, the last of which came against West Indies A in October 2013.

India have since played two Test series of two games each, in the West Indies in July 2023 and recently in South Africa. Shubman Gill dropped down to No. 3 in all those Tests with Yashasvi Jaiswal opening the batting.

Pujara, meanwhile, played county cricket for Sussex, the Irani Cup (the annual first-class match featuring the Ranji Trophy champions vs the Rest of India) and the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy, but without impressive returns till now.

He will probably play at least one more Ranji game - against Haryana at home from January 12 to 15 - before the India squad is announced for the England Tests. Saurashtra's third fixture is against Vidarbha from January 19 to 22.