Jaydev Shah
Cheteshwar Pujara was always a great support for the Indian cricket team, irrespective of the conditions and situations. We at the Saurashtra Cricket Association are very proud that he went on to play more than 100 Tests. Very few players have achieved that in India, or in world cricket for that matter. He has been a very big player, but now he has taken the decision to hang up his boots. Saurashtra and Indian cricket will miss him.
Especially Saurashtra cricket and the players need his guidance. So even after retiring as an active cricketer, he will have a lot to give to Saurashtra. We will take his inputs. Best of luck for his future. He is already a commentator and is doing very well.
Pujara has always been a very focused player. He debuted under me. I feel very proud that he went on to achieve so much. But he never forgot his roots. His heart was always beating for Saurashtra cricket. He helped us win the Ranji Trophy. He and Ravindra Jadeja have been the two pillars of Saurashtra cricket. He never ignored domestic cricket. Scored a mountain of runs. But more than anything else, he is a great human being.
He was always focused on his cricket, never disturbed anyone. His dad (Arvind) has played a major role in his life, to get him this standard of cricket. Right from the start, he was focused on Test cricket, and then he developed his game from the longer format to the one-dayers and T20s.
He never talked much in the dressing room. Always chose the right time to give his suggestions. For him, the team was the most important. He never made himself more important than the others. He was very friendly with everyone, even with the junior-most member of the squad.
Given his stature and acumen, a bright future lies ahead. He can be a commentator, he can come to cricket administration, he can be a coach or he can helm the NCA (Centre of Excellence) in the future. In any of this capacity, he could play an even greater role. Indian cricket will benefit from his contributions. And not only he has the stature, he is a very stable person.
People are asking me if we will felicitate Pujara. Of course, we will. But we won’t do it hastily. A cricketer of his greatness, the felicitation has to be proper.
(Jaydev Shah is a former Saurashtra captain and the current president of the Saurashtra Cricket Association. He spoke to Shamik Chakrabarty.)
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