Dear Cheteshwar Pujara,
When your news International retirement brokeIt did not just feel like the end of a career, it felt like the end of an era. Suddenly, every fan who once defended ‘proper test cricket’ in a noise chai stall or in the WhatsApp group felt a knot around his neck. Because you were not just a batsman; You were our last arguments. In a world with sixes, strikes and viral reels, you made further defense like an act of rebellion. You reminded us that batting can still be about a straight bat like patience, stubbornness and sword. And yes, sometimes it disappointed us, but deeply, we loved you for it.
Against your 92 in Bengaluru Australia There was not just a knock in 2017, it was a marathon that lost the will of the bowlers to appeal. He 2021 Sydney And Brisbane epic? You didn’t just score; You wore injuries like a medal. Every body blow was a reminder that Test cricket is still a heartbeat competition, not just highlight the reels. And whenever we feel that India may collapse, you stood there, like a person, like a person, who was called his train late and has slowly decided to sips his tea.
The fans used to joke that watching the bat was like seeing the paint dry. But there is one thing here: This paint was the foundation of victory abroad in India’s biggest exam. Without you, those magnificent finish, Pant fireworks, Kohli punches, Ashwin’s disregard, could never be possible. You were a quiet engineer who built the stage, while others danced to him. And you never complained. Any chest, no headlines, no nuisance. Just run, grit and timely dazzle that can melt the ego of a fast bowler.
Today, cricket will move forward, as it always does. New heroes will come, new format will be dazzling, and the world will continue to revolve at the speed of T20. But somewhere in Rajkot, his living room has a child’s shadow-blessed, playing the most solid forward defense, which his mother has ever seen. And we know who he is pretending to be.
So thank you, Cheteshwar. You suffered the bowlers for every hour. For every mark you earned by your team. For every Indian, who once said, ‘Relax, Pujara is still batting, we are fine.’ You were not just the wall 2.0. You were the patience that we did not know that we needed.
With deep respect and praise,
Cricket time
Also read: Indian Cricket Biradari woke Cheteshwar Pujara after retirement from international cricket
