Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer reckons Cheteshwar Pujara has sealed his place in the team after scoring runs in the first Test match against Bangladesh at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chhatogram.

Pujara scored a gutsy knock of 90 runs in the first innings to help India post 404 runs. The right-hander added a crucial alliance of 149 runs with Shreyas Iyer after India lost four early wickets. It was difficult to bat on in the first innings and Pujara once again showed all the resistance.

Pujara then went on to score 102 runs off just 130 balls, which is his fastest Test century. Thus, Pujara was able to able to end the century drought of almost four years. Pujara was able to get to the three-digit mark after 52 Test innings.

The veteran batter was recently under the scanner for his underwhelming performances in the last couple of years but he was able to prove his mettle.

Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, Jaffer said: “He did the hard yards, went to county cricket, and scored lots of runs. Whenever he gets an opportunity, he turns up for Saurashtra.”

“It’s a good thing that he got his mojo back and got that hundred which he didn’t had for 3-4 years. He is going to be there around. He’s not going anywhere.”

Meanwhile, Jaffer gave credit to Cheteshwar Pujara for scoring runs consistently despite not getting a hundred for the team. Pujara had scored 271 runs on Australia’s tour, including three crucial fifties.

“Even though he didn’t make a hundred for three or four years, he managed to put on some decent scores consistently. There were 60s-the 70s, knocks where he battled really hard. In the Brisbane Test, he took blows to his body. There were no three-figure marks. So, I thought he played some really decent knocks in between that.”

Pujara was able to prove his worth in the first Test match against Bangladesh and once again played a key role in the success of the team.

The experienced batter will want to continue the good form in the second Test match, which will be played in Dhaka from Thursday.