At the book launch of The Life of a Cricketer’s Wife, written by Cheteshwar Pujara’s wife Puja Pabari, Rohit Sharma reflected on their early cricketing days, sharing what it was like to face Pujara while rising through the youth ranks.
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Cheteshwar Pujara: The Relentless Wall of Indian Cricket
Cheteshwar Pujara built his career on the foundation of tireless, grinding innings that wore down opposition teams and paved the way for many of India’s iconic Test and series victories. His unshakeable concentration and dogged resistance were evident even during his youth cricket days, leaving opponents frustrated and exhausted in their search for breakthroughs.
Reflecting on those early encounters, former Indian Test captain Rohit Sharma shared his memories at the launch of The Life of a Cricketer’s Wife, written by Pujara’s wife, Puja Pabari. “I still remember, team meetings only revolved around him—how to get him out. And if we didn’t get him out, we’d probably lose the game,” Rohit recalled.
He added with a smile, “All I remember is that when I used to go to the ground at 14 and came back in the evening, the colour of my face would be completely different. Because he used to bat all day, and we used to field in the sun for two to three days.”
‘Mom, what do I do?’
Cheteshwar Pujara carved out a distinguished career through sheer grit and endurance, playing marathon innings that drained opposition teams and laid the foundation for many of India’s greatest Test triumphs. Even as a youngster, Pujara showcased the same unyielding temperament, leaving rival teams bewildered and worn out by his ability to occupy the crease for days.
Former Indian Test captain Rohit Sharma, speaking at the launch of The Life of a Cricketer’s Wife by Pujara’s wife Puja Pabari, recalled the challenge of facing him in their youth. “I still remember, team meetings only revolved around him—how to get him out. And if we didn’t, we’d probably lose the game,” Rohit said. “When I used to go to the ground at 14 and came back in the evening, the colour of my face would be completely different. He used to bat all day, and we used to field in the sun for two to three days.”
It reached a point where Rohit’s mother became concerned about his physical condition. “My mother asked me a couple of times, ‘When you go to play, you look one way, and when you come home after a week or 10 days, you look totally different.’ I’d say, ‘Mom, what do I do? There’s a batsman named Cheteshwar Pujara. He’s been batting for three days!’” Rohit laughed, recalling the early impression Pujara left on everyone.
Now in the twilight of his career, Pujara remains active in domestic cricket for Saurashtra and has not formally retired from international cricket, keeping the door open for a potential Test recall. Rohit, on the other hand, has retired from Test cricket, passing the captaincy baton to Shubman Gill, and now focuses solely on ODIs at the international level.