Name of the Sportsperson: Cheteshwar Pujara

Discipline: Cricket

Age: 24

Place: Rajkot, Gujarat

Awards and achievements:

1)    He was the highest run getter in Ranji Trophy matches in 2007-08 season

2)    He was awarded with ‘CEAT Indian batsman of the year’ for 2008-09.

3)    Madhavrao Scindia award for the best batsman in domestic circuit.

Cheteshwar Pujara is an Indian cricketer who plays right handed. He is considered to be the one among the few old-fashioned cricketers remaining in the country. After his impressive performance in the home series against Australia in 2010, few cricket experts even said that this Saurashtra lad is the best option for number three after Rahul Dravid’s retirement. 

Pujara started knocking at the doors of Indian after an excellent run in the Ranji season of 2008-09, the year which brought him many laurels which includes CEAT award for the best batsman. He was given a D grade contract by BCCI in the same year. But still had to wait to wear an Indian jersey continued till 2010 when he finally made his debut in 2010 against Australia in Bangalore, thanks to two wonderful years he had in the domestic circuit. His magnificent batting display while captaining the India A side in the England series had also helped his cause. Pujara averages above 55 runs in domestic league with 14 hundreds and 15 fifties in a short span for Saurashtra which speaks in volumes about the potential of this batsman.

Even though his impressive 72 made in the debut against Australia could not help him to seal his spot in the side,his chances for a comeback is huge considering his potential. But it won’t be easy though as he has to fight for his spot with the likes of Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj singh. He had played for Kolkata Knight Riders in the first three seasons and then joined Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2011.