A memorable meeting on the KKR campus
Cheteshwar Pujara opened up on JioHotstar’s show 'Cheeky Singles' about a special experience during his time with the Kolkata Knight Riders. Despite his professional demeanor, Pujara admitted to feeling a sense of excitement and reverence, acknowledging the fanboy moment but quickly shifting his focus to the bigger picture.
While the meeting with Khan was a highlight, Pujara made it clear that his primary goal was to make the most of the learning opportunities the franchise offered. He stressed the importance of the professional environment, the presence of seasoned players, and the chance to elevate his own game. His brief stay with KKR included six innings and 122 runs, with a notable performance of 45* and an impressive strike rate of 106.08.
From IPL to CSK and beyond
Pujara's journey in the IPL began with KKR in 2009 and continued with the franchise until 2014. Over the span of 30 matches, he scored 390 runs across 22 innings, averaging 20.52 with a strike rate of 99.74 and notching one half-century. His career also included stints with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings. In 2021, he became part of the Chennai Super Kings' squad, though he didn’t play any matches during that season.
One of Pujara’s more amusing memories came during training with Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood. Hazlewood, who had bowled extensively to Pujara in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2018 and 2021, joked about refusing to bowl to him in the nets at the start of their CSK season. Pujara, who had been a pivotal player in India's consecutive Test wins during those series, laughed off the situation, recognizing it as a sign of mutual respect and shared humor.
A career built on discipline and performance
Known for his consistency and technical skill, Pujara left his mark on Indian cricket with 7,195 runs in 103 Tests. He averaged 43.60 across his red-ball career, scoring 19 centuries and 35 fifties. His ability to play long innings and adapt to different match situations made him a key figure in the Indian lineup. Though his international career included just five ODIs, where he amassed 51 runs, his contribution to Test cricket remained invaluable.