Sunil Gavaskar presents Cheteshwar Pujara with a cap for his 100th take a look at match, throughout day one of many second Test match within the sequence between India and Australia at Arun Jaitley Stadium on February 17, 2023 in Delhi.
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The legendary Sunil Gavasakar on Friday hoped Cheteshwar Pujara would turn into the primary Indian to rating a century in his 100th Test, including that the veteran batter has been a function mannequin for “hard work and self-belief”.
Pujara turned the thirteenth Indian to attain the 100-Test milestone when he took the sector within the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy towards Australia right here.
Flanked by his household and team-mates, Pujara, the Indian batting mainstay within the longest format of the sport, acquired a particular cap from Gavaskar to honour his achievements.
“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,” stated Gavaskar who featured in 125 Tests.
The former India skipper lauded Pujara for placing his “body on the line for India.” “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.
“You’ve taken the blows, you obtained up, and you made bowlers earn your wicket. Every single run you scored is a big plus for India. You’ve been a function mannequin for what laborious work, self-belief, and goals can do.”
The 35-year-old Pujara, who made his Test debut in 2010, has 7,000-plus runs in the format and 19 centuries.
“Legends like you have impressed me. As a younger cricketer, I all the time dreamt of enjoying for India, however I by no means thought I’d be enjoying 100 Test matches for India,” Pujara said.
“I consider Test cricket is the last word type of the sport and it assessments your temperament; there are such a lot of similarities between life and Test cricket.
“If you can fight through the tough periods, you always come out on top. I feel really proud and to all the youngsters out there, I encourage you to work hard and strive to play for India.
“Thanks to my household and associates for their assist. Thanks to the BCCI, media, and my team-mates and assist employees.”
