Cheteshwar Pujara is one of India's finest Test cricketers of the modern era. He is renowned for his solid technique, exceptional temperament, and a willingness to bat for long periods. Pujara is widely regarded as the 'new wall of Indian cricket' for his ability to occupy the crease and grind out runs, much like Rahul Dravid, the man he was often compared to.

                                     


Early Life and Career:


Cheteshwar Pujara was born on 25th January 1988 in Rajkot, Gujarat, India. His father, Arvind Pujara, was a former Ranji Trophy player who played for Saurashtra, and his grandfather, Chandrakant Pujara, was also a first-class cricketer. Cheteshwar grew up in a cricketing family and started playing the game at a young age.


Pujara's first brush with cricket came when he was just seven years old, and he was enrolled in a cricket coaching camp in Rajkot. His early years in cricket were spent honing his skills and technique, and it was evident from a young age that he had a natural talent for the game. He soon began to make waves in the domestic circuit, and it wasn't long before he was drafted into the Saurashtra team.


Domestic Career:


Pujara's domestic career began in 2005 when he made his debut for Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy. He was just 17 years old at the time, and he made an instant impact with a score of 60 on debut. Over the next few years, Pujara established himself as a dependable middle-order batsman for Saurashtra and began to pile up runs.


His breakthrough season came in 2008-09, where he finished as the highest run-scorer in the Ranji Trophy, with 825 runs in just eight matches. He followed it up with another strong season in 2009-10, where he scored 890 runs in nine matches. Pujara's consistent performances in domestic cricket earned him a call-up to the Indian team.


International Career:


Cheteshwar Pujara made his international debut for India in a Test match against Australia in Bangalore in October 2010. He was batting at number three and scored 4 runs in his debut innings. Pujara's early international career was stop-start, with injuries and inconsistent performances keeping him out of the team.


However, he announced himself on the world stage during India's tour of South Africa in 2013. Pujara scored 153 in the first Test at Johannesburg, batting for over eight hours to help India secure a draw. He followed it up with an unbeaten 82 in the second Test at Durban, as India won the match to level the series.


Pujara's best moment in international cricket came during India's tour of Australia in 2018-19. He played a crucial role in India's historic series win, scoring three centuries and a half-century in four Tests. His century in the first Test at Adelaide set the tone for India's victory, while his century in the fourth Test at Sydney helped India secure a draw and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

                                    


Overall, Pujara has scored over 6,000 runs in Test cricket at an average of 47.23, with 18 centuries and 28 half-centuries. He has been a crucial cog in India's Test team over the years, providing stability and solidity to the batting line-up.


Playing Style:


Cheteshwar Pujara is a classical Test batsman who relies on his technique, temperament, and patience to score runs. He is known for his ability to grind out runs and







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