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India Today
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Cheteshwar Pujara interview: Test specialist tag was limiting, not right for me
We thought the moment had slipped a long day of interviews at India Today's Noida office in May, Cheteshwar Pujara and his wife, Puja, were ready to call it a day. As they made their way toward the car park, my colleague and I, hoping for just a few minutes of their time, watched the opportunity quietly fade. Disappointed, we turned back toward our desks, mentally preparing the explanation we would give our unexpectedly, Pujara stopped. He turned, looked at us, and gently said he wouldn't be able to speak that day—but promised a virtual interview in the next couple of days. It wasn't a courtesy. It was a commitment. Three days later, amid his broadcasting schedule, Pujara kept his word. He gave us time with the author of a new book - Puja, by his spoke about Pujara's career, his support system and about the book, 'The Diary of a Cricketer's Wife: A very unusual memoir' about life beyond the boundary rope. I had skimmed through a few chapters by then, and one paragraph from the author's note stood out. It explained everything: why he stopped, why he called back, why he showed up.'For someone who has travelled around the world, overcome incredible hardships and enjoyed unprecedented success, he is not very social. Yet, despite his reserve, he never says no to anyone, even if the request is made by a stranger; he will always go that extra mile, sometimes at great personal cost,' Puja hadn't exaggerated a carved a legacy as India's rock at No. 3, built on grit and patience. From grinding out 1258 balls in the 2018–19 Australia tour to taking body blows at the Gabba in 2021, he stood tall when it mattered most. Dropped in 2014 and 2016 for scoring too slowly in Tests (yes, the irony), he roared back with runs at home and overseas, proving that old-school Test batting still had a place in modern his career was also marked by being boxed in. Despite averaging 57 in List-A cricket, which includes runs in England, he was never given a real shot in ODIs or T20Is. Branded a "Test specialist," Pujara took the hits quietly, but never stopped fighting. Even at 37, he's not done are excerpts from conversation with Cheteshwar Pujara and his wife about cricket, family support, and their latest There's a line from the book that really stood out to me: "He doesn't know how to relax, but he's always at peace." Would you say that's the best description of you?Cheteshwar Pujara: Yes, definitely. I would say so, because one has to be at peace. At the same time, every person has a different understanding of what relaxation means. But mentally, having that peace of mind is very important-not just for a sportsperson, but for any human live in a world where everything moves so quickly, and there's always a lot going on. It's crucial to have control over your mind and to remain at get multiple calls in a day, and it's never easy to control your thoughts, but it's important to keep working at try to get better at it, because no one is perfect, and no one is going to be at peace all the time. But when faced with a difficult situation, you should know how to handle yes, I think she's done a great job with the way she's described things in the What prompted you to write the book? Cheteshwar Pujara with his wife Puja (Courtesy: Cheteshwar Pujara/Instagram) Puja Pujara: A lot of things. One is that he's an introverted personality-he doesn't open up easily and prefers to keep to the essence of writing this book was the story-the sacrifices, the hardships the family went through, even when there was no certainty of success. It's phenomenal in the sense that it's so inspiring. Any person, regardless of the career they want to pursue, can pick up the book, read it, and feel shows that if you want to succeed in life, there are things you need to do. Success is like the tip of the iceberg, but the book shows the entire iceberg-the hurdles one must cross to achieve that success. There are no shortcuts. Cheteshwar's life story is a prime example of why I felt the world should know. Even though it was very difficult for him to share his story-because he wouldn't normally be comfortable doing that-I was inspired, and I felt it was important to tell for any other reason, but because even if five people are inspired to change their lives and attain what they want, then we're making a difference. That was the whole idea. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Puja (@puja_pabari)advertisementQuestion: Speaking of mental peace in a fast-paced world-how did you cultivate that in your cricketing life? We've heard stories of you hitting thousands of balls in the nets with your father, but did you do anything specific to strengthen your mental game? Cheteshwar Pujara: Yes, just to start with the cricketing aspect-when I was very young, my father made sure that my practice had purpose. No distractions were allowed during sessions. No conversations either. I had to remain completely focused while batting. Even if I wanted to speak to the bowler or someone else, he ensured I didn't. My entire focus had to be on the game and the started very early. And then I kept playing matches-match practice is extremely important. Playing regularly at a young age teaches you how to concentrate and stay apart from cricket, what else helped me mentally? My mother taught me to pray every day-whether I was playing or not. That became part of my daily routine. Prayer helped me channel my energy. And when you pray, you attract positive when I was about 19 or 20, I began learning yoga and breathing exercises. For the past seven to ten years, I've practised them really helped me control my thoughts, focus on my breath, and find mental peace when Did you truly love cricket as a child? Or was it something you were pushed into?Cheteshwar Pujara: No, I always loved the sport. One reason is that my father played first-class cricket for Saurashtra. My grandfather also played cricket-back in the days before the Ranji Trophy existed, when only the Maharajas from an early age, I would see them going to the ground. As a child, I'd walk with them, watch other players-and that's how the passion at home, when I was four or five, I played with a plastic bat and a soft ball. I loved the game; I was never forced into it. By the time I was seven or eight, I was playing with a proper cricket ball. That's when I decided I wanted to take it turning point came when I was twelve. I got a big break with the Saurashtra team, and in my first match, I scored 306 runs-it became a national when I realised I could pursue this professionally. Until then, it was purely love and passion. But at twelve, I decided I could make a career out of Puja ma'am, being the partner of a top-level sportsperson isn't easy. There are mood swings, highs and lows. How did you manage?Puja Pujara: You experience highs and lows in every profession. But when the career is demanding and under public scrutiny-especially in a sport as loved as cricket in India-the highs are very high, and the lows can hit time, you get used to it. You learn not to ride either extreme with too much emotion. Losses humble you, and wins-you learn not to get carried also learn that "today is a good day, but it might not last". So, you don't let it affect your personal life. By personal life, I mean the equation between the two of personal life has always remained our own. When he comes home, he's a regular partner, a regular son to his father. He doesn't come home as a may be a lot of aura and hype outside, but at home, he is just himself. That's helped us a never brought in an attitude of "I'm someone important" into the house. That helped me, his dad, and now, even our yes, it does get to you. But over time, you you receive public love and adulation, you learn to appreciate it. Similarly, when things go wrong, you learn to accept it and stay grounded. We've always maintained that whatever happens outside, nothing changes inside our Your rise wasn't quick, with injuries and a long grind. So, was it daunting to be asked to replace someone like Rahul Dravid at No. 3?Cheteshwar Pujara: No, not really-when I made my debut, I never thought I'd end up batting at number three. Because initially, when I was picked in the squad, I wasn't even sure if I'd get into the XI. I only got an opportunity because Laxman bhai was injured and couldn't play the Bangalore Test. That's why I made my debut.I started as a number five batter, and then in the second innings, I was promoted to number three. Even going forward, I never imagined I'd be the one batting at number happened organically. Rahul bhai retired, and there was a vacancy at number three, so I stepped in. Even when playing for Saurashtra, I never thought of starting at number three. And I never imagined I'd be replacing Rahul was never a question of that. Even in my early years, whenever someone asked, "Because your technique is similar, will you replace him?", I always said, "I want to play alongside him. I want to learn." And that's what happened.I got the opportunity to play alongside him, I learnt a great deal from him, and then I batted at number three. So I've never considered myself a replacement. Rahul bhai is a great player with over 10,000 Test runs-even in ODIs. I just feel fortunate to be every player has their individuality, and one must stay true to that. I've always tried to do that. There may be similarities, but you have to go out there and play your natural If Pujara could change one thing about his career, what would it be? Or has everything been perfect?Puja Pujara: We don't have any regrets. But given a choice, if there's one thing we could change, I think he would've liked to play in multiple formats. Because he truly felt he could have-and the numbers speak for themselves. I think he would have wanted to play all the formats because he was capable. Even now, his List A average is among the highest. So yes, he would have liked that no regrets as he was labelled a "Test specialist", he never compromised. Even though he worked hard to be ready for the ODI and T20 formats, he never did anything that would risk his Test spot. He understood the importance of proving himself, but he also respected the format. He never felt the need to play an ODI-style innings or hit flashy shots just to get played the format for what it he played domestic or county cricket and had the chance to play a shorter format, he approached it the right way-not just to boost selection chances or make a case for the IPL. He didn't try to alter his natural instincts. He wanted to stay true to his job, which was representing the yes, I'm sure he'd say the same. If given the opportunity, he would have liked to showcase his skills in the limited-overs You're widely regarded as one of the finest Test batters of your generation. But did you ever feel boxed in by the "Test cricket specialist" tag?Cheteshwar Pujara: Well, I've always enjoyed playing the Test format. But if you're just tagged as a Test player, it's not always the right label for someone who has the potential to play other formats.I enjoy Test cricket-it's always been my yes, being tagged that way means people acknowledge that you're talented enough to play the purest form. But at the same time, it can be limiting, perceived in a negative way. Because once you're tagged as a Test player, you don't get many opportunities with the white The 2018-19 Australia tour and the 2020-21 one-which one is your favourite? Cheteshwar Pujara dominated Australia in India's historic tours in 2018-19 and 2020-21 (AFP Photo) Cheteshwar Pujara: For me, both. But personally, yes-as a batter, I enjoyed the 2018 series more. Because that was the first-ever series victory on Australian soil. So I'll pick that at the same time, in 2021, so many key players were missing-despite that, we overcame countless challenges and won. That was special You've scored over 7,000 runs and played 100+ Tests. Is the fire still burning?Cheteshwar Pujara: Yes, absolutely. As long as I'm playing cricket, it doesn't matter what level I'm at. I love the game, and I'm working hard to maintain my rhythm, fitness, and connection to the sport. So whenever the opportunity arises-whether at the domestic level or the highest level-I'll be From your respective journeys, what's the one key message you'd want to pass on to the next generation-both as a cricketer and as someone who's seen a cricketer's life up close?Cheteshwar Pujara: For me, I'd say that for a young cricketer, the ultimate goal should be to play for the country. Yes, we live in an era where white-ball and franchise cricket are hugely popular. So yes, aim for that-there's nothing wrong with aspiring to play in the IPL. But while doing that, also aim to represent your country-in all formats. I'm not saying just Test cricket, even though it is the ultimate Pujara: Yes, and I'd just add: There are fewer days of success; the days of failure are more frequent. Failure teaches you a lot. One mustn't get bogged down by it or feel disheartened. Persevere, stay true to your passion, and eventually, you will succeed. But don't get carried away by success either-nothing lasts forever. Change is inevitable. So you need to have strong values and a close circle-family or dear ones-who ground you. They'll be the ones to tell you the truth, no matter where you are in life, without sugarcoating. Hold on to those relationships with complete can be deceiving-it doesn't show the whole picture. The real picture only emerges when you experience both success and Watch
Hans India
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
England tour turning point for Indian cricket: Pujara
New Delhi: Veteran top-order batter Cheteshwar Pujara believes that the upcoming five-match Test tour of England marks a crucial turning point for Indian cricket, citing the young group of players selected for the series starting on June 20 in Headingley. India has a new skipper and vice-captain in Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, respectively, as the youthful side looks to step into a new era of playing Tests after the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Historically, India has won only three out of 19 series in England, with the last one coming in 2007 when Rahul Dravid was the side's captain. 'The India-England Test series has always been a true measure of a team's grit and adaptability. In the last 100 years, India has managed to win only 3 out of 19 series played on English soil, which highlights just how challenging this contest has been for us. 'With a young and dynamic squad, this tour represents a significant turning point for Indian cricket. I look forward to witnessing how this group rises to the occasion and sets new benchmarks for future generations,' said Pujara . Edgbaston, Lord's, Old Trafford and The Oval are the other venues for the remaining games of the India-England Test series. The series against Ben Stokes-led England also marks the start of a new ICC World Test Championship cycle for India. Irfan Pathan, the former India left-arm fast-bowling all-rounder, has backed the Gill-led side to stand up to the tough challengers they will encounter on the tour of England. Pathan will be seen as a panellist for the broadcasters' coverage, whose campaign tagline for the Test series reads as 'Naya India, Dhaakad India'. 'Test cricket in England is the ultimate examination of skill, temperament, and character. With a new generation stepping up, Team India is not just carrying forward a legacy—they are writing a new chapter in our cricketing history.
News18
28-05-2025
- Sport
- News18
England Tour Significant Turning Point For Indian Cricket: Cheteshwar Pujara
Last Updated: India will start their ICC World Test Championship cycle under a new captain in Shubman Gill. Veteran top-order batter Cheteshwar Pujara believes that the upcoming five-match Test tour of England is a pivotal moment for Indian cricket, highlighting the young group of players selected for the series starting on June 20 in Headingley. India has a new skipper and vice-captain in Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, respectively, as the youthful side steps into a new era of Test cricket following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Historically, India has won only three out of 19 series in England, with the last victory occurring in 2007 under Rahul Dravid's captaincy. 'The India-England Test series has always been a true measure of a team's grit and adaptability. In the last 100 years, India has managed to win only 3 out of 19 series played on English soil, which highlights just how challenging this contest has been for us. 'With a young and dynamic squad, this tour represents a significant turning point for Indian cricket. I look forward to witnessing how this group rises to the occasion and sets new benchmarks for future generations," said Pujara. Edgbaston, Lord's, Old Trafford, and The Oval are the other venues for the remaining games of the India-England Test series. The series against Ben Stokes-led England also marks the start of a new ICC World Test Championship cycle for India. Irfan Pathan backed the Gill-led side to face the tough challengers they will encounter on the tour of England. 'Test cricket in England is the ultimate examination of skill, temperament, and character. With a new generation stepping up, Team India is not just carrying forward a legacy—they are writing a new chapter in our cricketing history," Pathan said. 'Ground Tumhara, Jeet Hamari' perfectly captures the fearless attitude and resilience of this squad. I am confident that this team has the talent and determination to take on the toughest challenges and inspire a new wave of fans across the country," he added. With IANS Inputs First Published: May 28, 2025, 16:19 IST
NDTV
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
"Girlfriend Nahi Thi, All Focus Was On...": Cheteshwar Pujara Narrates Tale On Meeting Wife Puja
Cheteshwar Pujara has been a very dedicated servant of Indian cricket. His rock solid approach, especially against Australia, will got down as some of the finest knocks Down Under. Recently, Cheteshwar Pujara's wife Puja, made some staggering revelations in her book "The Diary Of A Cricketer's Wife: A Very Unusual Memoir", narrating her husband's journey in becoming one of the most reliable Test batters the nation has produced. Over the last couple of years, Pujara has seen his stocks go down as he has not been selected in the Indian cricket team. Off the field, Pujara, on he sideline of promoting his wife's book, revealed how they met. "Meri koi girlfriend nahin thi. Pura focus cricket pe tha aur jab family ne baat ye propose kari ki this is the right age for you to get married toh tabhi maine decide kiya ki I will start meeting the suitable person. Jab pehli hamari mulakat hui, tabhi hum log ki jaise baat shuru hui, aap person ko janne aur samajhne lagte hai. You cant call it love at first sight but you get along with the person. (I did not have any girlfriend. My entire focus was on cricket and when my family told me that it is the right age for me to get married then I decided that I will start meeting the suitable person. When we first met, as we started talking, you get to know and understand the person. You cant call it love at first sight but you get along with the person)," he said on Vimal Kumar 's YouTube channel. "Aap ek dedh ghanta kisi ke saath baat karte hai toh aapko samajh mai aa jata hai ki inke saath aap aage bhi baat karna pasand karenge. She was also very sure that she wanted to have a word with me. Ekdum typical arranged marriage nahi tha. Humne ek dedh mahina ek dusre se baat kari phone pe hum touch mai the. Mai travel kar raha tha. Ek dusre ko janne ki koshish kari aur uske baad humne decide kiya ki she is the right person. (When you talk for an hour or hour and a half with the person you understand that you would like to talk to them further. She was also very sure that she wanted to have a word with me. It was not a typical arranged marriage. We spoke to each other for a month and a half and were on touch over phone. I was travelling. We tried to know each other and then we decided that she is the right person)," he added. Cheteshwar Pujara has opened up on Sarfaraz Khan 's snub from India's Test squad for the upcoming series against England. Sarfaraz didn't find a place in India's 18-man squad that was announced on Saturday, ahead of a five-match series starting June 20. "The reason he is not in the squad, I feel, is he has been very successful in the Asian conditions or in India. The management feels that he may not be as successful in Australia or in England. And there were some fitness issues in the past. I don't know about his current fitness. But he has been working hard on his fitness also. So, at this stage, I feel it's a bit unfortunate. But at the same time, someone like Karun Nair, who has performed really well in domestic cricket, deserved an opportunity," Pujara told Hindustan Times.
News18
25-05-2025
- Sport
- News18
Cheteshwar Pujara: 'Kohli, Rohit's Retirements Will Bring Young Players Together'
Last Updated: Most of the OGs of post-2010 Indian Test cricket are gone. But can that help the new Shubman Gill-led group to bind together more strongly in England? We asked Cheteshwar Pujara. The last time India won a Test in England — Oval, 2021 — the youngest batter in the top six was 29 years old, KL Rahul. The other five were among the OGs of the post-2010 generation of Indian Test cricket: Captain Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja. As India are set to travel to the UK again in the summer, only Rahul and Jadeja remain. Kohli and Rohit announced their Test retirements earlier this month, while Pujara and Rahane have been phased out. The 'transition' that many wished to never see is here, under a 25-year-old new captain, Shubman Gill. Expectedly, such leadership handovers are treated with gloom and sad nostalgia. Not many know more about that than Pujara, who was a key cog in the Indian team when the previous generation were seeing the last of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman. However, like Pujara did, it's an opportunity for the youngsters to break through as rays of hope. On Sunday, News18 CricketNext asked the former number three batter whether, without the shadows of the greats that preceded them, this new generation of Indian cricketers can bind together more strongly in England. 'Well, I've played with some of these players and I'm sure all these young players are focusing on the team's success," Pujara said during a call organized by Sony Sports network, the official broadcaster of the India tour of England. 'So this will definitely bring all the young players together. When you have a great opportunity like this, you come together as a team, you look different on the field. Because when you have seniors and juniors, there are times when you might have a little bit of difference of opinion, because the seniors have played a lot more. Now, there are no seniors and juniors in this team, so everyone has to come together. Everyone needs to support each other." 'See, honestly, guys will have a tough time," Pujara said. 'It won't be easy. Even if we win a Test match, the team has to work hard to earn those victories. So everyone has to contribute to the team's success. Everyone has to contribute, even to prepare well, even to strategize how we can be successful. So there, there will be. I'm sure Shubman is captain, but at the same time, you have senior players, someone who is experienced enough, someone like KL, someone like Jasprit (Bumrah), Rishabh Pant. Everyone will have to contribute to the team's cause. They will have to guide Shubman at different stages." The five-Test series begins on June 20 in Headingley. An India 'A' tour starting on May 30 will set the scene for the rubber. Watch CNN-News18 here. Stay updated with all the latest news on IPL 2025, including the schedule, Points Table, IPL Orange Cap, and IPL Purple Cap. Get latest Cricket news, live score and match results on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
