Personal Details
- Full Name: Cheteshwar Arvind Pujara
- Date of Birth: January 25, 1988
- Place of Birth: Rajkot, Gujarat, India
- Nickname: "Pujji"
- Height: 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm)
- Batting Style: Right-handed
- Bowling Style: Right-arm off-break (rarely used in matches)
- Role: Batsman (Top-order, No. 3)
Early Life and Background
Cheteshwar Pujara was born into a family of cricketers in Rajkot, Gujarat. His father, Arvind Pujara, was a former first-class cricketer who played for Saurashtra, and it was under his guidance that Cheteshwar developed an interest in cricket. Growing up in a cricketing family, Pujara was encouraged to pursue the sport from a young age.
He was inspired by the batting techniques of some of India's greatest batsmen, particularly Rahul Dravid. Pujara’s early cricketing development was shaped by his strong technical foundation, which he later relied upon at the international level.
Domestic Career
First-Class Debut: Pujara made his first-class debut for Saurashtra in the 2005-06 season of the Ranji Trophy. He quickly made a name for himself with his solid batting and consistency, becoming one of the most reliable batsmen in domestic cricket.
Notable First-Class Achievements:
- In the 2008-09 Ranji Trophy season, Pujara scored over 1,000 runs, which established him as one of the top run-scorers in the domestic circuit.
- He made an impressive 206 runs in a Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka, showcasing his ability to play long, patient innings.
- He has had a number of match-winning performances for Saurashtra, and has also been a part of the Ishwar Pandya-led team in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
International Career
Pujara’s consistent performances in domestic cricket led to his selection for the Indian national team. He made his debut in all formats as a part of India’s rebuilding phase in Test cricket after the departure of several legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and VVS Laxman.
Test Cricket Debut:
- Debut Match: Pujara made his Test debut for India against Australia in the 2010-11 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Bangalore. He scored a solid 72 runs in his debut innings, which earned him a place in the squad for subsequent matches.
- Breakthrough Series: His major breakthrough came during the 2013 series against Australia, where he played key innings, including a long partnership with Virat Kohli and contributed significantly to India’s victory.
Key Milestones in Test Cricket:
- Century Against Australia: Pujara scored an important century in Adelaide in 2012 during India's tour of Australia, which marked him as one of the future stars of Indian cricket.
- Reliability in Middle Order: Pujara was often tasked with the responsibility of occupying the crease for long periods and batting through challenging situations, especially in the middle order.
- Notable Test Records:
- He is the fastest Indian to score 1,000 Test runs (in terms of innings).
- Highest score: Pujara’s highest Test score is 206, which came during the 2017 Test series against Bangladesh in Hyderabad.
- He has scored numerous centuries and is known for his ability to play long, patient innings. His partnerships with other top-order batsmen, including Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, have been critical in stabilizing the Indian batting line-up.
- He has been a key figure in India’s historic Test series win in Australia (2020-2021), where his resilience, especially during the Sydney Test, was pivotal.
ODI and T20I Career:
- ODI Debut: Pujara made his One-Day International debut against Sri Lanka in 2013.
- T20I Debut: He also made his T20I debut during the same period in 2013 against Zimbabwe.
- While Pujara has played limited-overs cricket, he has been more prominent in the longer formats due to his style of batting, which is more suited to the Test format.
However, despite his success in Tests, Pujara has struggled to establish a permanent spot in the Indian limited-overs teams, primarily due to his relatively slower, more traditional batting style, which doesn't always suit the aggressive approach required in ODIs and T20s.
Captaincy:
Pujara has not been a regular captain for the Indian team in international cricket, but he has often captained the Saurashtra team in domestic cricket. His leadership abilities were showcased during Saurashtra's victory in the 2019-2020 Ranji Trophy.
Playing Style and Strengths
Batting Technique: Pujara is known for his solid technique and mental toughness. He is often compared to Rahul Dravid for his ability to play long innings and his focus on technique. His defensive play is outstanding, and he is adept at playing the short ball and maintaining concentration for extended periods.
Batting Position: Primarily an opening or No. 3 batsman, Pujara has been the anchor of India’s batting order, especially in Tests. He is known for his ability to grind the opposition and bat through difficult periods.
Mental Toughness: One of Pujara’s key strengths is his ability to stay calm and composed under pressure. His innings in Australia (particularly in 2020-21) were a testament to his mental fortitude and resilience in tough conditions.
Playing in Tough Conditions: Pujara’s performances in challenging conditions, particularly overseas, have been a key highlight of his career. He has excelled in places like Australia, England, and South Africa, where the pitches are often more difficult for batsmen, especially from India.
Achievements and Records
- Test Centuries: Pujara has scored over 18 Test centuries and is one of the most consistent Test batsmen for India in recent times.
- Record Partnerships: Pujara has been involved in several match-defining partnerships, including with Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Ravichandran Ashwin.
- Number of Runs: Pujara has scored over 6,000 Test runs and remains one of the leading Test batsmen for India.
Key Contributions to India’s Success
2018-19 Series Against Australia: During the 2018-2019 India-Australia Test series, Pujara played a central role in India’s first-ever Test series win in Australia. His three centuries during the series helped India secure a historic win.
2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Pujara's contributions in the 2020-21 Test series in Australia were monumental. His grueling innings during the Sydney Test, especially when India faced a tough target, earned him admiration from cricket pundits and fans worldwide. He showed immense resilience in difficult conditions and helped India win a historic series in Australia.
Personal Life
Family: Cheteshwar Pujara comes from a cricketing family. His father, Arvind Pujara, was a first-class cricketer, and his uncle, Sandeep Pujara, is also a former cricketer. Pujara is married to Puja Pujara, and they have a daughter named Adhya.
Off-Field: Pujara is known to be a private person and tends to stay away from the media spotlight. He is deeply committed to his fitness and follows a disciplined routine. Pujara is also active in various charitable causes, often contributing to the development of cricket in Gujarat.
Future Prospects
Pujara's future in Indian cricket remains solid, especially in the Test format. He has been an integral part of the Indian team’s batting lineup and has shown that, with his technique and temperament, he can continue playing at the highest level for several more years. As India’s middle-order batsman, Pujara’s experience will be key in future tours, particularly in countries like Australia, England, and South Africa, where Indian teams will need a steady hand in the batting department.
Despite occasional calls for his place in limited-overs cricket, Pujara is widely regarded as one of the finest Test batsmen of his generation.
In summary, Cheteshwar Pujara is an anchor of India's Test cricket team, known for his patience, technique, and ability to adapt to difficult conditions. His contributions have been central to several of India's significant Test wins in recent years, and he continues to be a crucial part of the team’s future plans in the longest format of the game.
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