Cheteshwar Pujara: I Am Not Fan Of Comparison

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. 

- Alshaar Khan

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?