Pricey Cheteshwar Pujara,
When the information of your international retirement broke, it didn’t simply really feel like the tip of a profession, it felt like the tip of an period. Immediately, each fan who ever defended ‘correct Check cricket’ at a loud chai stall or in a WhatsApp group felt a lump of their throat. Since you weren’t only a batter; you have been our final standing argument. In a world obsessive about sixes, strike-rates and viral reels, you made the ahead defence appear like an act of revolt. You reminded us that batting may nonetheless be about endurance, stubbornness and a straight bat held like a sword. And sure, generally it pissed off us, however deep down, we cherished you for it.
Your 92 at Bengaluru in opposition to Australia in 2017 wasn’t only a knock, it was a marathon that made bowlers lose the need to attraction. That 2021 Sydney and Brisbane epic? You didn’t simply rating runs; you wore bruises like medals. Each physique blow was a reminder that Check cricket remains to be a contest of heartbeats, not simply spotlight reels. And each time we thought India may collapse, you stood there, unmoving, unbothered, like a person who’d been instructed his practice is late and has determined to simply sip his chai slowly.
Followers used to joke that watching you bat was like watching paint dry. However right here’s the factor: that paint was the inspiration of India’s biggest Check wins overseas. With out you, these wonderful finishes, the Pant fireworks, the Kohli punches, the Ashwin defiance, may by no means have been potential. You have been the quiet engineer constructing the stage whereas others danced on it. And also you by no means complained. No chest-thumping, no headlines, no fuss. Simply runs, grit and the occasional glare that would soften a quick bowler’s ego.
At present, cricket will transfer on, because it all the time does. New heroes will come, new codecs will dazzle, and the world will maintain spinning at T20 velocity. However someplace in Rajkot, there’s a child shadow-batting in his front room, enjoying probably the most stable ahead defence his mom has ever seen. And we all know precisely who he’s pretending to be.
So thanks, Cheteshwar. For each hour you made bowlers endure. For each scar you earned on behalf of your workforce. For each Indian who as soon as mentioned, ‘Calm down, Pujara’s nonetheless batting, we’re tremendous.’ You weren’t simply the Wall 2.0. You have been the endurance we didn’t know we wanted.
With deepest respect and admiration,
The Cricket Occasions
Additionally READ: Indian cricket fraternity hails Cheteshwar Pujara after his retirement from international cricket
