New Delhi, August 28 – After bringing an illustrious playing career to a close, India’s seasoned Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has indicated that he is open to exploring coaching opportunities or taking up responsibilities at the National Cricket Academy in the future. Speaking to PTI a few days after announcing his retirement from all formats of the game, Pujara reflected on his career spanning 103 Tests, in which he scored over 7,000 runs, and also shared his vision for the next chapter of his journey.

Pujara said that while he enjoys working in broadcasting and plans to continue in that space, he is equally willing to consider coaching or mentoring roles whenever the right opportunity arises. He emphasized that staying connected with cricket is important to him and that any contribution he can make to Indian cricket in the future would bring him satisfaction. As per agency report, Pujara added that he has no regrets about his decision to retire and is content with the way his career unfolded.

He also spoke about the changing nature of Test cricket, observing that the traditional approach to batting has evolved over time. However, he believes that classical batsmen remain relevant even in the modern game. According to him, change is inevitable and players must adapt to the demands of the present era. For youngsters, his advice is to play across all three formats since opportunities in Test cricket today often come on the back of performances in shorter formats like the Indian Premier League or one-day internationals.

Pujara explained that players who perform well in white-ball cricket frequently find a place in the Test side, which has also brought a more aggressive style of batting into the longest format. At the same time, he pointed out examples such as Abhimanyu Easwaran and Karun Nair, who earned Test selections through strong performances in the Ranji Trophy, showing that domestic first-class cricket remains a valuable pathway.

He highlighted KL Rahul as one of the best Test batsmen in the current Indian team, praising his solid technique and his ability to provide stability at the top of the order. For Pujara, these qualities are crucial in laying a strong foundation for the team.

The 36-year-old’s remarks underline both his respect for the traditions of Test cricket and his awareness of the evolving dynamics of the sport. With his vast experience and calm temperament, Pujara’s potential involvement in coaching or mentoring roles could prove to be a significant asset for the future of Indian cricket.

New Delhi, April 16 – In a deeply personal and uniquely written memoir, Pooja Pujara, wife of veteran Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara, shares her journey of life as a cricketer’s spouse, detailing the emotional highs and lows of being part of a cricket-obsessed nation and the realities that come with it. Titled The Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife: A Very Unusual Memoir, the book is co-authored by Pooja Pujara and Namita Kala and is set to be released on April 29, as per agency report.

Published by HarperCollins India, the memoir provides an intimate portrait of Cheteshwar Pujara — a man known for his resilience, quiet demeanor, and unshakeable faith. Pooja describes him as spiritual but never pretentious, reserved yet approachable, and someone who enjoys sharing silly jokes. The book captures the remarkable journey of Pujara from the narrow lanes of Rajkot to the world stage of international cricket, a journey that Pooja has closely witnessed since their marriage in 2013.

Before marrying Cheteshwar, Pooja had no interest in cricket. Over time, however, she not only learned the intricacies of the game but also took on responsibilities such as planning and preparing nutrition-rich meals for her vegetarian husband. The memoir dives into the sacrifices made by Pujara’s parents and the challenges the couple faced during his career's ups and downs.

The book has received praise from some of Indian cricket's biggest legends. Anil Kumble and VVS Laxman have lauded it for its honesty and insight, while Rahul Dravid has described it as essential reading for anyone looking to understand the mind of one of India’s most unique batsmen. Dravid remarked that the book provides a rare opportunity to glimpse into the mental framework of a cricketer known for his hard work, composure, and dedication.

Through this memoir, readers are offered not just a backstage pass to the world of elite cricket, but also an emotionally resonant account of love, support, and the realities of life lived under the spotlight.

New Delhi, June 24 (IANS) Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said that veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara has been unfairly targeted and dropped for the tour of West Indies after India's batting failure in the WTC Final against Australia.

"Why has he been dropped? Why has he been made the scapegoat for our batting failures. He has been a loyal servant of Indian cricket. A loyal and quiet servant. A loyal and quiet achiever. But because he does not have millions of followers on platforms who will make a noise in case he gets dropped, you drop him.

"That is something beyond understanding. What is the criteria of dropping him and keeping the others who failed? I do not know because nowadays, there is no media interaction with the selection committee chairman," Gavaskar told Sports Today.

Gavaskar believes that Pujara should not be dropped from the Indian Test team simply because of his age.

"He has been playing country cricket. So, he has played a lot of red-call cricket and he knows what it is about. Today, people can play till they are 39-40 years old and as long as you are producing runs, I do not think age should be a factor. Apart from (Ajinkya) Rahane, the batting completely failed. Why Pujara has been made the fall guy is something the selectors will have to explain," he added.

New Delhi, Feb 16 : One of the most illustrated aspects of Cheteshwar Pujara's long run in Test cricket, which will hit the 100th appearance mark in the format during the second Test against Australia here on Friday, has been his never-ending patience and a breezy sense of calmness mixed with a dollop of determination and resilience. Ahead of his landmark Test match, Pujara explained how he has gained tons of patience which have seen him be a part of various memorable victories for India.

"Patience does not come on its own, need mental strength for that. Apart from that, you need to practice well and preparation is very key. I scored runs at junior cricket, age group cricket and first-class cricket, from where I learnt patience."

"Some things don't occur overnight and talking about discipline, it doesn't come in a day, or two-four-six months, you get patience after being disciplined for a long. It requires working over a period of time and backing your game with discipline, routine and hard work, which then gives you patience. When you focus on your game and abilities, coupled with confidence, but if you be persistent in your efforts, then you can be successful," he said in the pre-match press conference.

But beneath the calmness, patience, and resilience Pujara lies a stubborn spirit which is fuelled by discipline, following routines and shutting down the outer noise to build a headstrong mental strength.

"Ashwin had recently spoken about me being very stubborn. Sometimes, for me, as long as you stick to your methods, and are confident about your own game, one has to be disciplined to be successful in Test format. I have done that over a period of time. I have my routines and pay attention to my fitness."

"Apart from that, I do a little bit of meditation, yoga, and pranayam, which has immensely helped me to be in the present and not think about outside noise. It's easy to say that one has to shut out the outside noise but to do that, you have to be mentally strong and detach yourself from what is being spoken about you."

"I try to detach myself from social media, newspapers, and TV, even if it is positive things. Sometimes you need to focus on the things which you can control and then get better as a cricketer. So I try to do all that, which has helped me immensely."

Apart from this, Pujara stated though he hasn't changed as a human being, he has added some shots to his batting prowess and has become open-minded too to become a player who embraces evolution in a modern world, citing his Player of the Series performance against Bangladesh last year.

"As a cricketer, I can definitely say that having played a little bit of white-ball cricket recently helped me a lot. I have played for Saurashtra and Sussex, where I tried playing a few shots like paddle scoop and a few reverse sweeps against fast bowlers. That has opened my mindset as when I wanted to implement a few shots in Test cricket, you are a little more flexible, open-minded towards trying things out."

"Like in the series against Bangladesh, when the team needed to accelerate and played a few shots as I had been doing that in practice sessions. I am a little bit more open-minded and one has to be flexible to adapt to different situations, as well as be open to changes in your game and technique."

"As a person, I don't think a lot has changed. I am the same Cheteshwar which people know if you speak to my teammates and people who know me. I don't think people need to change as a person as long as you are a good human being."

(IANS)