Ahead of India’s second Test against Australia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, legendary Indian cricketer, Sunil Gavaskar felicitated India’s Test specialist, Cheteshwar Pujara as he became the 13th player to play 100 Test matches for India. The ever-so-dependable cricketer made his Test debut in October 2010 and since then, he has managed to score 7021 runs in the longest format of the game.
Cheteshwar Pujara has been a crucial part of the team for over a decade now and has been brilliant not just in home games but in foreign conditions as well. Sunil Gavaskar acknowledged that and lauded Pujara for his hard work, self-belief, and staying focused to get the job done. He also mentioned how he got up and proved himself time and again, facing many downs in his career.
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During the felicitation ceremony, Sunil Gavaskar said, “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, and self-belief to lift yourself up from lean periods, and then stay focussed on getting the job done.”
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
He further added, “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. Welcome to the 100th Test club.”
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Even though 12 other Indian cricketers managed to play 100 Test matches, none of them could score a century on the big day. Gavaskar prayed that Pujara changes that and becomes the first one to do so.
Sunil Gavaskar also explained, “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.”
A guard of honour and a warm welcome for @cheteshwar1 on his 1⃣0⃣0⃣th Test 😃👌#TeamIndia | #INDvAUS | @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/jZoY1mjctu
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 17, 2023
