Latest news with #Cheteshwar
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Puja Pujara writes a memoir about life as the wife of Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara
Memoirs by India's star cricketers vividly documenting their roller-coaster journeys are not all that common. Rarer still is the perspective of their female partners, often described collectively as WAGs (Wives and Girlfriends), about their lives. Whenever the Indian team is in action, prying television cameras zoom in on their faces at various critical junctures — it could range from a player reaching a milestone to being dismissed for a first-ball duck — to seek their emotional and spontaneous reactions. But beyond these fleeting moments of unsolicited attention, what is it really like to be with someone whose job entails meeting the sky-high expectations of a populace that treats its cricketers like demigods? What is it like to partake in the dizzying highs and debilitating lows that their superstar partners go through from game to game? How do they feel when they have to inexplicably face the wrath of the wider world for their husbands going through a bad patch? Puja Pujara, the wife of former India Test No. 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, has candidly chronicled her experiences in a new book titled The Diary of a Cricketer's Wife (published byHarperCollins India) The idea of Puja penning down this book, aptly carrying the tag line of 'A Very Unusual Memoir', was proposed by her reticent partner a few days after the 2023 World Test Championship final that India lost to Australia. In the aftermath of the defeat, Cheteshwar, who was 35, had received an unpleasant call from the chief selector informing him that he was not in India's plans moving forward. Even as the man from Rajkot, who combined a sturdy technique with copious patience to accumulate 7,195 runs in 103 Tests, took the conversation on the chin, Puja was seething with anger about her husband being hard done by. It was a feeling, as Puja writes in the book, that had festered in her for a long time. It even prompted Puja to broach the topic of retirement with Cheteshwar. His response, Puja mentions in the book, was calmness personified. 'According to me, my body and mind, my reflexes are at their peak. I am at peace, whether I'm selected or not selected. I don't think one game can define anyone's form. Besides, I'm happy to play the game whenever or wherever I get the opportunity, because it is something I love,' he is quoted as saying in the 318-page offering. Almost two years have passed since Cheteshwar's illustrious Test career came to a halt. Recounting it now, Puja, seated alongside her husband in a virtual interaction, said: 'It was tough at the time. I have been very honest about my feelings. It hurt me a lot, and it took some amount of time to recover. But he just advised me that we cannot do anything about things that are not in our hands. Everybody wants that high. Every once in a while, I still feel a little disappointed.' For the outside world, these players lead vastly luxurious lives: travelling around the world, staying in plush hotels and enjoying all the other perks that come with being an Indian cricketer. All of this may be accurate, but it should not subvert the sacrifices of their family members that aid them in reaching the pinnacle of their profession. Cheteshwar is hopeful that a book like this will evoke a bit more understanding and empathy among the fans about their lives. 'Definitely I think it will,' he said. 'Every cricketer has their own journey. But at the same time when we are talking about privacy or the kind of sacrifices the family makes for a cricketer, that is most of the time common. I don't think any player is successful without the family's support.' For example, there is a passage in the book about Cheteshwar's father, Arvind, suffering tachycardia — a condition where the heart beats faster than usual — at home in Rajkot at 2.30 am ahead of India's second Test of a four-match series in Australia in 2018-19. With Puja not having travelled Down Under, she was able to rush her father-in-law to a hospital without keeping Cheteshwar in the loop about the incident. Even as doctors recommended a heart ablation procedure for the senior Pujara in Mumbai, she waited for that Test in Perth to finish before relaying the news to Cheteshwar. That he took it all in his stride with two Tests still left and guided India to a series win in Australia for the first time — he finished as the highest run-getter — are a testament to his character. Over his 13-year Test career, Cheteshwar forged many significant partnerships with his teammates. By the end of the book, it is apparent that his enduring off-field partnership with Puja has been just as significant. Priced at ₹425, the book is available on
NDTV
30-04-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
"The Guy You're Praising Wanted Me Dropped": Cheteshwar Pujara's Wife Makes Staggering Revelation
Highlights Cheteshwar Pujara's wife made a groundbreaking revelation in her book. Pujara last played for India in 2023 amid uncertainty over his selection. In the book, Pujara's wife revealed that a Team India member wanted him dropped. One of the most dependable Test cricketers India has produced, Cheteshwar Pujara, is a man of a few words but impeccable character. Over the years in his international cricketing career, Pujara earned many draws for India and played a crucial role in several victories. But the batter is no longer a part of India's team in any of the three formats. Pujara, who last played for India in 2023, has often produced fine knocks, making selectors contemplate his return. But his fortunes have still not changed. Pujara's wife, Puja, in her book 'The Diary of a Cricketer's Wife', has made some staggering revelations about the batter's cricketing career. In the book, she even narrated how Pujara once overheard a conversation about him being dropped from the team during the 2018-19 Australia tour. The episode took place while Pujara wasn't enjoying the best of form, having aggregated just 28 runs in the Perth Test. As India went on to lose the match, with Pujara also trying to manage a light hamstring injury, calls were apparently being made to drop him. The incident took place while Pujara's father was admitted to a hospital back home. "Cheteshwar made the most of his three-day break and did not step out of his room much. He alternated between resting his afflicted limb and getting his strained hamstring treated. On the lone occasion when he did, he overheard someone engaged in an intense conversation on the telephone, stating that he did not want my husband to play in the coming match because he was unfit. It was an unpleasant incident. But Cheteshwar gave no sign that he had accidentally become privy to the said exchange. Neither did he tell anyone about Papa's medical condition," Puja wrote in her book. "I only learnt of the incident accidentally on Cheteshwar's birthday after the tour was over. It was around half-past-two in the afternoon, the lights were off and the room was quite dark. Aditi was napping and Cheteshwar and I were reclining on our bed as I scrolled through our social media pages reading out birthday greetings. One message posted on Instagram was particularly effusive and touching. I read it out aloud to Cheteshwar, remarking, 'Such a sweet gesture-what a lovely message!' There was complete silence. He did not say a word. Puzzled, I looked up from my phone and caught a most peculiar expression on Cheteshwar's face-one that was simultaneously secretive and pitying. I had no trouble translating his mind - it was his vintage you're so naive-and-trusting look I had seen it before and was therefore quite familiar with it," she revealed. A simplistic man with humble character, Pujara eventually decided to bare it all in front of his wife, but not before being persuaded extensively to do so. 'What's wrong,' I asked. 'Nothing,' he said, at his taciturn best. But I was not buying it. I knew quite well that when Cheteshwar went completely quiet, it usually meant he was concealing something. It was a frequent occurrence. I usually learnt of on-field gossip and politics from other players' wives, never from him. Throughout my marriage, Cheteshwar's description of his various trips had been limited to three unvarying sentences: 'We had practice, a team meeting and then I returned to the room.' Day in and day out, year after year, I had been treated to the same standard lines. He was ready to talk about everything but his professional life. There were times when I would wonder if he even knew what was happening in the world around him. "But in this instance, I was not about to let him clam up on me. He tried to fend me off, but I finally wore him down. 'This guy you're praising,' commented Cheteshwar laconically, 'wanted me to be dropped from the team because of fitness issues.' I gaped at him. 'Why didn't you tell me earlier? Why did you go through it alone?' 'Such things happen,' he shrugged, 'and not everything deserves a reaction. I played and played well and that's what matters. You don't need to dwell too much on the incident. But it's important that you learn not to trust everything that takes place on social media'," she wrote. Listen to the latest songs, only on
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
'Wanted me dropped': Cheteshwar Pujara overheard omission talks amid injury and father's emergency, says wife
Cheteshwar Pujara and his wife Puja Cheteshwar Pujara 's wife, Puja Pujara , has revealed in her book 'The Diary of a Cricketer's Wife' that her husband overheard discussions about dropping him from the Melbourne Test during India's 2018-19 tour of Australia, despite his strong performance in the series opener and dealing with both a hamstring injury and his father's medical emergency. Pujara had started the series strongly with a century and half-century in Adelaide, helping India take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. However, he developed a hamstring injury before the second Test in Perth. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! During this period, Pujara's father, Arvind, suffered a fall and needed immediate hospitalization, requiring an emergency heart procedure. Despite these personal challenges, Pujara kept his father's condition private from the team. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo The Perth Test proved difficult for Pujara, who managed only 28 runs across both innings as India lost by 146 runs. The period between the second and third Tests was particularly challenging for him. Puja revealed that while resting his injured hamstring, Pujara accidentally overheard a conversation about his potential exclusion from the team. "Cheteshwar made the most of his three-day break and did not step out of his room much. He alternated between resting his afflicted limb and getting his strained hamstring treated. On the lone occasion when he did, he overheard someone engaged in an intense conversation on the telephone, stating that he did not want my husband to play in the coming match because he was unfit. It was an unpleasant incident. But Cheteshwar gave no sign that he had accidentally become privy to the said exchange. Neither did he tell anyone about Papa's medical condition," Puja wrote in her book. The incident only came to light much later during a conversation about birthday wishes on social media. "I only learnt of the incident accidentally on Cheteshwar's birthday after the tour was over. It was around half-past-two in the afternoon, the lights were off and the room was quite dark. Aditi was napping and Cheteshwar and I were reclining on our bed as I scrolled through our social media pages reading out birthday greetings. One message posted on Instagram was particularly effusive and touching. I read it out aloud to Cheteshwar, remarking, 'Such a sweet gesture—what a lovely message!' There was complete silence. He did not say a word. Puzzled, I looked up from my phone and caught a most peculiar expression on Cheteshwar's face—one that was simultaneously secretive and pitying. I had no trouble translating his mind — it was his vintage you're-so-naïve-and-trusting look I had seen it before and was therefore quite familiar with it." A Father's Pride: How RR, Dravid & Vikram Shaped Vaibhav Suryavanshi Puja persisted in questioning her husband about his reaction, leading to a revealing conversation. "What's wrong,' I asked. 'Nothing,' he said, at his taciturn best. But I was not buying it. I knew quite well that when Cheteshwar went completely quiet, it usually meant he was concealing something. It was a frequent occurrence. I usually learnt of on-field gossip and politics from other players' wives, never from him. Throughout my marriage, Cheteshwar's description of his various trips had been limited to three unvarying sentences: 'We had practice, a team meeting and then I returned to the room.' Day in and day out, year after year, I had been treated to the same standard lines. He was ready to talk about everything but his professional life. There were times when I would wonder if he even knew what was happening in the world around him." Finally, Pujara revealed the truth about the social media message. "'This guy you're praising,' commented Cheteshwar laconically, 'wanted me to be dropped from the team because of fitness issues.' I gaped at him. 'Why didn't you tell me earlier? Why did you go through it alone?' 'Such things happen,' he shrugged, 'and not everything deserves a reaction. I played and played well and that's what matters. You don't need to dwell too much on the incident. But it's important that you learn not to trust everything that takes place on social media.'" Despite these challenges, Pujara went on to be named Player of the Series as India secured their first away Test series victory on Australian soil.
Hindustan Times
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Cheteshwar Pujara overheard intense phone call to have him dropped in Australia: 'He did not want me in India XI'
Cheteshwar Pujara was no stranger to being a casualty in the Indian XI despite being one of its finest Test batters in the last decade and a half. Sometimes for strike rate in the West Indies, sometimes after a few low scores in England, Pujara has always bore the brunt. But Pujara really got shaken when the chatter about dropping him during the 2018-19 Australia tour came to the fore. A man of few words, Pujara, when persuaded by his wife, Puja, could not hold back. The veteran batter, narrated how he overheard talks of dropping him from the Melbourne Test. Puja Pujara revealed the details in her book, 'The Diary of a Cricketer's Wife'. Puja wrote that her husband, who had scored a century and a half-century in the first Test in Adelaide to help India take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series, was struggling with a hamstring injury before the second Test in Perth. That was also the time when Pujara's father, Arvind, suddenly fell and required hospitalisation as soon as possible. Without revealing details of his father's medical condition, Puja stood by her husband, who did not have the best of times in Perth, managing just 28 runs in both innings. India lost the Test by 146 runs. It was between the second and the third Test that Pujara had a hard time. He was trying his best not to let the hamstring hamper his batting while his wife, Puja, was taking care of his father, who required an emergency heart procedure. Amid all this, Pujara overheard a telephonic conversation, where the main topic of discussion was his position in the XI for the Melbourne Test. "Cheteshwar made the most of his three-day break and did not step out of his room much. He alternated between resting his afflicted limb and getting his strained hamstring treated. On the lone occasion when he did, he overheard someone engaged in an intense conversation on the telephone, stating that he did not want my husband to play in the coming match because he was unfit. It was an unpleasant incident. But Cheteshwar gave no sign that he had accidentally become privy to the said exchange. Neither did he tell anyone about Papa's medical condition," Puja wrote in her book. She further revealed that Pujara told her about the incident much later when they were discussing social media wishes on his birthday. "I only learnt of the incident accidentally on Cheteshwar's birthday after the tour was over. It was around half-past-two in the afternoon, the lights were off and the room was quite dark. Aditi was napping and Cheteshwar and I were reclining on our bed as I scrolled through our social media pages reading out birthday greetings. One message posted on Instagram was particularly effusive and touching. I read it out aloud to Cheteshwar, remarking, 'Such a sweet gesture—what a lovely message!' There was complete silence. He did not say a word. Puzzled, I looked up from my phone and caught a most peculiar expression on Cheteshwar's face—one that was simultaneously secretive and pitying. I had no trouble translating his mind — it was his vintage you're-so-naïve-and-trusting look I had seen it before and was therefore quite familiar with it. 'What's wrong,' I asked. 'Nothing,' he said, at his taciturn best. But I was not buying it. I knew quite well that when Cheteshwar went completely quiet, it usually meant he was concealing something. It was a frequent occurrence. I usually learnt of on-field gossip and politics from other players' wives, never from him. Throughout my marriage, Cheteshwar's description of his various trips had been limited to three unvarying sentences: 'We had practice, a team meeting and then I returned to the room.' Day in and day out, year after year, I had been treated to the same standard lines. He was ready to talk about everything but his professional life. There were times when I would wonder if he even knew what was happening in the world around him. "But in this instance, I was not about to let him clam up on me. He tried to fend me off, but I finally wore him down. 'This guy you're praising,' commented Cheteshwar laconically, 'wanted me to be dropped from the team because of fitness issues.' I gaped at him. 'Why didn't you tell me earlier? Why did you go through it alone?' 'Such things happen,' he shrugged, 'and not everything deserves a reaction. I played and played well and that's what matters. You don't need to dwell too much on the incident. But it's important that you learn not to trust everything that takes place on social media'," she wrote. Pujara ended up as the Player of the Series, which India won to make the first away Test series victory on Australian soil.
Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Puja Pujara's memoir: When father-in-law's heart procedure and husband's fight for his Test career collided
In 2013, Puja Pabari, who had never followed or understood cricket, married Cheteshwar Pujara. On April 29, she released her memoir 'The Diary of a Cricketer's wife'. The following excerpts are on two inter-related incidents. When Cheteshwar was battling an injury and form in the 2018 Test series in Australia, his father had to undergo an emergency heart procedure. In Australia, Pujara would overhear an unpleasant phone call talking about why he needs to be dropped. Puja describes the ordeal of handling her father-in-law's surgery while tracking her husband's efforts to keep his career afloat. Excerpts Even as I worried over Cheteshwar's fitness, fate delivered a major blow back home—my father suffered from another episode of tachycardia! On the eve of the second test match, in the wee hours of the morning, my father-in-law called me on my mobile from his room on the first floor. 'Puja, I'm feeling very uneasy, can you come down,' he requested in a thready voice. His BP appeared normal, but his pulse rate had shot through the roof and was hovering at around 204. I panicked. 'I don't know,' he replied, shakily. 'I'm feeling giddy.' I checked his pulse again. It was still the same. I did not bother to re-check his BP. 'I'm taking you to Synergy,' I said. 'Lie down quietly till I've arranged everything … Cheteshwar's aunt rose at once. 'You go. I'll keep an eye on the child.' I thanked her and ran down. I had already called up Dr Ajay Patil, Papa's cardiac surgeon, and primed him about the situation. As soon as we reached, the doctors injected Papa with a blood thinner. Within fifteen minutes, he started feeling better. He was then put through the ECG and echo tests. Some forty-five odd minutes had elapsed and he seemed quite comfortable … We were back home at half-past three. The second test was beginning that very morning, so I freshened up, took a short nap and woke up in time to wish Cheteshwar luck for the match. I carefully omitted all mention of the events of the previous night, not wanting to take away his focus from the impending game. 'How's the hamstring,' I asked casually. 'Fine,' he answered, insouciantly. 'Best of luck for the match,' I wished him, with a spurious attempt at jollity. 'Thanks,' he replied, distractedly, his mind already on the game ahead. Later that afternoon, I took Papa to Dr Patil. 'This is happening too often,' he proclaimed after scanning Papa's reports. 'And it can be dangerous' … It can be cured with a heart ablation procedure … The best doctor in the field is Dr Yash Lokhandwala, in Mumbai. You should go to him.' India lost the second test at Perth by 146 runs, despite Virat Kohli 's century in the first innings. Cheteshwar struggled during the match as his afflicted hamstring was now really troubling him. But I was battling a bigger worry. How was I going to tell Cheteshwar that his father needed a heart ablation procedure? I finally broke it to him when he reached Melbourne. Overhearing plans to drop him Cheteshwar made the most of his three-day break and did not step out of his room much. He alternated between resting his afflicted limb and getting his strained hamstring treated. On the lone occasion when he did, he overheard someone engaged in an intense conversation on the telephone, stating that he did not want my husband to play in the coming match because he was unfit. It was an unpleasant incident. But Cheteshwar gave no sign that he had accidentally become privy to the said exchange. Neither did he tell anyone about Papa's medical condition. I only learnt of the incident accidentally on Cheteshwar's birthday after the tour was over. It was around half-past-two in the afternoon, the lights were off and the room was quite dark. Aditi was napping and Cheteshwar and I were reclining on our bed as I scrolled through our social media pages reading out birthday greetings. One message posted on Instagram was particularly effusive and touching. I read it out aloud to Cheteshwar, remarking, 'Such a sweet gesture—what a lovely message!' There was complete silence. He did not say a word. Puzzled, I looked up from my phone and caught a most peculiar expression on Cheteshwar's face—one that was simultaneously secretive and pitying. I had no trouble translating his mind — it was his vintage you're-so-naïve-and-trusting look I had seen it before and was therefore quite familiar with it. 'What's wrong,' I asked. 'Nothing,' he said, at his taciturn best. But I was not buying it. I knew quite well that when Cheteshwar went completely quiet, it usually meant he was concealing something. It was a frequent occurrence. I usually learnt of on-field gossip and politics from other players' wives, never from him. Throughout my marriage, Cheteshwar's description of his various trips had been limited to three unvarying sentences: 'We had practice, a team meeting and then I returned to the room.' Day in and day out, year after year, I had been treated to the same standard lines. He was ready to talk about everything but his professional life. There were times when I would wonder if he even knew what was happening in the world around him. But in this instance, I was not about to let him clam up on me. He tried to fend me off, but I finally wore him down. 'This guy you're praising,' commented Cheteshwar laconically, 'wanted me to be dropped from the team because of fitness issues.' I gaped at him. 'Why didn't you tell me earlier? Why did you go through it alone?' 'Such things happen,' he shrugged, 'and not everything deserves a reaction. I played and played well and that's what matters. You don't need to dwell too much on the incident. But it's important that you learn not to trust everything that takes place on social media.' 'Go get a double hundred' …The Boxing Day test was quite thrilling. Cheteshwar scored a century in the first innings almost as if he was sending out a message to his critic that he had plenty of cricket left in him … India had won the match and was leading 2-1 in the series and even better, it had managed to retain the trophy even though it lost the next match. I was elated—for the moment. I was anything but happy when I accompanied Papa to Mumbai, fighting hard to keep my emotions in check. I was leaving my ten- month-old baby behind with my parents and wondering how she would fare without me … By the time we reached the Holy Family hospital in Bandra, Cheteshwar was approaching a century [in final Test at Sydney] … At around 11.30 a.m., India time, Cheteshwar struck a century. The staff wheeled Papa to the OT at around four o'clock, to prep him. It was late evening in Australia. Cheteshwar was batting overnight at 130 and the Indian score stood at 303. He called me up to ask after his father. 'They've taken him into the OT,' I informed. 'So, there's nothing much to tell. The doctor has met us and examined Papa. There's nothing to worry about,' I added, repeating the doctor's statement. 'He won't even be going under full anaesthesia. Just go to sleep and relax. I'll update you in the morning.' The next morning, I was up at 3.30 a.m. to inform Cheteshwar that the procedure had been a success. I tried to speak to him in hushed tones, but this ploy was a failure. 'Go get a double hundred,' I whispered. Cheteshwar did not get a double ton. He got out caught and bowled by Nathan Lyon for 193 … I was a wee bit disappointed, but perked up when my father-in- law remarked: 'This is even bigger than a double century. He has done well for his country and the team.' Coming from a man who was difficult to please, this was a huge compliment! Cheteshwar was named the player of the match and series. When he was described by commentators as the Australian team's worst nightmare whose batting had left the Aussies with no answers, my cup of joy overflowed. What more could I ask for? A vacation? A teeny-weeny break—as a treat for all the sleepless nights I had endured? These dreams lasted till Cheteshwar's next phone call. He had already booked his tickets to travel to Kanpur for Saurashtra's quarter-final game. 'Yay!' said my normally unruffled spouse in a state of great excitement. 'Saurashtra has qualified for the quarter-finals. Yaar, isme toh jaana hi padega (Pal, I will have to go for this)! The team will be stronger if I'm there. I hope we qualify for the semis.' At that moment, I quietly packed away my dreams.
