Senior India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara became only the 13th Indian to feature in 100 Test matches, achieving this feat in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023, in Delhi, against Australia.
The 35-year-old was felicitated by batting legend Sunil Gavaskar on the morning of the Delhi Test, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, with Gavaskar presenting Pujara with a special cap on the occasion of the latter’s 100th Test.
Having made his Test debut in 2010, Cheteshwar Pujara has been a rock in the middle order for India, with his batting style being amongst the most extreme ones.
In 99 Tests, Cheteshwar Pujara amassed 7021 runs at an average of 44, recording 19 hundreds, including 3 double hundreds.
Sunil Gavaskar, who featured in 125 Tests, gave a stimulating speech on the occasion of Pujara’s landmark Test match.
“When we are playing as kids growing up, whether we are playing at home, down the streets and maidans, we all dream of playing for India. It’s an unbelievable feeling and you want to do that over and over again. You need a lot of hard work, determination, self-belief to lift yourself up from lean periods, and then stay focussed on getting the job done. When you go out to bat, it’s as if you’re taking the India flag with you. You’ve put your body on the line for India,” Gavaskar told Pujara in the felicitation ceremony, which was also attended by his family members and the Indian team.
Image Source – PTI
Pujara was a key man in India’s twin series wins in Australia. Gavaskar made it a point to highlight how Pujara has put his body on the line and shown his great commitment to the team’s cause.
“You’ve taken the blows, you got up, and you made bowlers earn your wicket. Every sngle run you scored is a big plus for India. You’ve been a role model for waht hard work, self-belief, and dreams can do. Welcome to the 100th Test club, and I wish and pray you that you become the first Indian to score a big hundred in your 100th Test and lay the foundation for yet another win in Delhi,” added Gavaskar.
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𝗔 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵! 💯
Golden words from the legendary Sunil Gavaskar as he felicitates @cheteshwar1 on his landmark 100th Test 👏🏻👏🏻#TeamIndia | #INDvAUS | @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/AqVs6JLO2n
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 17, 2023
