In 2021, 15 years after his first-class debut, even the corporate moneybags in the IPL were moved to applaud Cheteshwar Pujara when he was signed up by Chennai Super Kings at the auction. The moment went viral as a cricketing nation sheepishly acknowledged the contributions of the most old-school cricketer of the modern-day game. It’s understandable that an orthodox cricketer like him didn’t become a popular icon; his batting was classical in a world of heavy metal.
He had to wait for years in the anonymity of domestic cricket before he got the break to play for India. Luckily, for him and Indian cricket, his father, Arvind, had taught him how to wait. And he did. In his batting, in his life, and for the applause to ring out for him. His patience, his craft, his courage to take multiple blows, and his passion to wear down Australia in Australia that led to famous series wins were finally appreciated. His 993 runs in 11 Tests in Australia stitched together over 2,657 deliveries was monumentally important for India’s proud record in Australia in the last decade.
But it didn’t take long for the knives to come out; his waiting game began to be seen as a lack of intent. Silly whispers about how his batting puts pressure on others began to circulate, not just among fans but in the cricketing corridors. If anything, he had allowed the other batsmen to ride his wave. Through his career, 30.4 per cent of India’s total runs were accumulated while he was at the crease; such has been the incredible spillover effect. Only Rahul Dravid and Sunil Gavaskar, lucky to have been in eras where that batsmanship was celebrated, did slightly better in that regard. Pujara would tame the bowlers, wear them down, make the ball lose its shine, and present a more conducive atmosphere for the attacking batsmen. Undoubtedly, history will be kinder to the player who dragged Indian cricket towards a better future.
