Legendary Indian opener Sunil Gavasakar on Friday (February 17) hoped Cheteshwar Pujara would grow to be the primary Indian to attain a century in his 100th Test, including that the veteran batter has been a job mannequin for ‘hard work and self-belief’. Pujara turned the thirteenth Indian to achieve the 100-Test milestone when he took the sphere within the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in opposition to Australia in Delhi.
Flanked by his household and team-mates, Pujara, the Indian batting mainstay within the longest format of the sport, obtained 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,” mentioned Gavaskar who featured in 125 Tests.
_ ______ __ _______! _
Golden phrases 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
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 got up, and you made bowlers earn your wicket. Every single run you scored is a big plus for India. You’ve been a role model for what hard work, self-belief, and dreams can do.”
The 35-year-old Pujara, who made his Test debut in 2010, has 7,000-plus runs within the format and 19 centuries. “Legends like you have inspired me. As a young cricketer, I always dreamt of playing for India, but I never thought I’d be playing 100 Test matches for India,” Pujara mentioned.
“I believe Test cricket is the ultimate form of the game and it tests your temperament; there are so many 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 family and friends for their support. Thanks to the BCCI, media, and my team-mates and support staff.”
(with PTI inputs)
