After a recordbreaking home season, the Indian Test cricket mainstay opens up about the other side of his calm and composed self, and why he thinks no team selected him at the IPL auction.
A FRIEND WAS ONCE narating observations about big cat behaviour from her recent visit to the jungles of Kenya, and it was quite educational to learn how, as opposed to the cheetah (which is right out there, going about its hunting like a casual stroll in the park), the leopard is a discreet felid with a preference to stay in hiding. But underneath this tranquil demeanour is a majesty that comes to the fore when in pursuit of its quarry.
I found myself thinking of this as I waited in the lobby of a Mumbai hotel, ahead of a conversation with the Indian Test cricket team’s prolific number three and the highest rungetter for the country in a season - Cheteshwar Pujara. Notwithstanding criticism of his ‘slow’ batting, the 29-year old has gone about his cricket like a leopard, piling up tons of runs en route his record-breaking tally of 1,316 first-class runs, at an average of 62.67, in the recently concluded 2016/17 season. And even his blasé persona seems cut from the same nonchalant cloth as his on-field self.
With a million dollar smile that lights up along with the camera’s flash, there’s also a certain quirk to ‘Puji’s' personality. The Rajkot lad, who’s sporting a hipster beard these days, is vociferous during Playstation battles with his teammates, enjoys Netflixand-chill sessions with his supportive wife Puja and is counting the days until he gets his college degree. After an excruciatingly long but highly successful home season, he reflected on a triumphant comeback, revealed the ‘other side’ of his calm facade and discussed the Indian Premier League, county cricket and more.
How do you look back at the home season?
This story is from the May 2017 edition of Man's World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2017 edition of Man's World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Practical Guide To - Modern Dating
How men can navigate the ever changing world of modern dating better
The Watch Man from Jaipur
Jovial, curious, and offering tons of excited insights into the world of horology, Gaurav Mehta's life is a collectors' dream. Between brushing shoulders with India's watch collection elite and a stunning new launch, the watchmaker and founder of Jaipur Watch Company gives us a closer look at the 'complications' of running one of India's most unique micro luxury brands
Eye on Your Wardrobe - The Chronicles of Chic
In the chic lexicon of a man's sartorial diary, the wardrobe stands not merely as a cabinet of clothes but as a sanctuary of style, a haven of elegance where every shelf, hanger, and drawer narrate a story-a story etched in the very threads of fabric and woven into the tapestry of life.
The Dark Obsession - The Psychology Behind Our Love For Hate Stories
Why are we increasingly becoming so smitten with watching dark content on screen
Revving Up Nostalgia
Why are retro motorcycles so popular? We find out with insights from Classic Legends CEO, Ashish Singh Joshi
Lamborghini Boss Stephen Winklemann - is betting on India
The CEO of Lamborghini has had a great run though he took on the job in thick of the Covid pandemic in December 2020. In 2023, the Italian super car maker celebrated its 60th anniversary posting sales of over 10,000 cars for the first time. Last year also saw Lamborghini launch Revuelto: the first V12 hybrid super sports car, part of the company's ambitious EV programme that will see it go all-electric by 2028. We caught up with Winkelmann during his second visit to Mumbai
Immersive Art - The Future or Yet Another Fad?
We talk to India's most popular contemporary artist Santanu Hazarika and one world's most influential personalities in the field of art, the co-founder of Kochi Biennale Foundation Bose Krishnamachari to understand the swift rise of immersive arts in India
The Rise of Sports Documentaries
Spurred by the ever-increasing appetite for behind-the-scene footage and intriguing drama, sports documentaries have become a major hit in recent years.
Pratik Gandhi - The Man of Characters
The Scam star, who will be next seen in Kunal Kemmu's debut directorial, Madgaon Express, has a chock-a-block slate that includes four more movies and a web series
12 Question With Akshay Oberoi
These days Akshay Oberoi is better known as squadron leader Bash aka Basheer Khan these days owing to his brilliant turn as the fighter pilot in Siddharth Anand's Hrithik Roshan-Deepika Padukone-starrer Fighter. It seems the actor, who had relocated to India from the US in 2008 with the dream to make it big in Bollywood and made his debut in Sooraj Barjatya's Isi Life Mein in 2010 before grabbing eyeballs with his was his turn as Nikki Singh in the dark and gritty 2017 thriller Gurgaon, is finally getting his due. We caught up with the blue-eyed actor to get a glimpse of the man behind the characters.