Cheteshwar Pujara recently opened up about the frustrations that come with having to continually prove oneself. He has a remarkable career spanning over a hundred Test matches. The seasoned No.3 batsman’s candid admission sheds light on the mental and emotional challenges that accompany a cricketer’s journey.
Cheteshwar Pujara voiced his disappointment following his exclusion from the national squad for the West Indies tour. The experienced campaigner, who boasts an impressive Test record with an average of 43.60 from 103 matches, acknowledged that the journey has been a roller-coaster with its share of highs and lows.
In a determined bid to stage a comeback, the 35-year-old cricketer participated in the recent Duleep Trophy as part of the West Zone team. He managed to accumulate 185 runs in four innings at an impressive average of 46.25. However, the grand finale against the South Zone saw Pujara facing twin failures.
Speaking on the “Final Word” podcast, he said, “There have been ups and downs in the last few years, and it tests you as a player because even after playing more than 90 Test matches, I still had to prove myself, that I belonged there. It’s a unique form of task. If you have to prove yourself after 90 Tests and 6,000 runs, it’s not easy,” Pujara said.
“Sometimes it messes with your ego. Despite having been successful at the international level for many years, there are still questions about your ability. If you have to prove yourself over and over again, you wonder if it’s worth it,” he added.
Despite the fact that a comeback to the Test squad appears doubtful for the champion, he remains optimistic about his chances.
He explained, “I keep telling myself that I know I’m supposed to be there. Despite knowing that with the contributions I’ve made to Indian cricket, I still have a lot to offer. I was told every time I scored more than 70 or 80 runs, India has gone on to win. We have not lost that specific Test match more than 80% of the time. So I know that if I score runs for the Indian team, we usually come out on top.”
Cheteshwar Pujara scored 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries in his test career. These have often proven pivotal in India’s victories, even so particularly against Australia. His roles in India’s triumphant series in Australia in 2018-19 and 2020-21 have etched his name forever in cricketing history.
However, Pujara’s recent struggles with form have cast a shadow on his illustrious career. In 2023, Pujara amassed only 181 runs from five Test matches. He just averages a mere 25.85, without a century.