BAN vs IND: Mohammad Kaif urges Cheteshwar Pujara to celebrate animatedly after registering century

KL Rahul-led team India registered a series sweep 2-0 against hosts Bangladesh in the second and final Test match at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Mirpur. Cheteshwar Pujara was adjudged as the Player of the Series as he played a vital role in India's win in the first Test in Chattogram, where he managed to put an end to his international century drought.

Pujara mustered 90 and an unbeaten 102 runs across both innings in the first Test which proved to be key in their victory against the Bangla Tigers. Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif made a rather hilarious request to the Test specialist following the win in Mirpur.

Player of the Series @cheteshwar1 talks us through the match and how he is constantly trying to improve his batting skills 🏏 💬#BANvIND #SonySportsNetwork pic.twitter.com/d6TV130qsf

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) December 25, 2022

“After scoring a hundred, your celebration is just too simple. Kuch karo bhai, bat ghumao, aise punch karo (do something, show your bat, punch in the air) because they show those visuals a lot on TV so people will also remember that yes Pujara has been scoring runs. Or else the talk is always on strike rate or how slow you play,” told Kaif in a post-match interview as quoted by HT.

“Yeh jo trophy mila hai na, pappi do trophy ko, social media mein daalo (This trophy that you got, kiss that trophy, put that picture on social media) and tell people that you played well and made a superb comeback to win the Player of the Series award. Please, Pujara,” requested the former cricketer.

More than celebrations, I believe in contributing for the team: Cheteshwar Pujara

The request made by Kaif in the post-match interview left Pujara dumbstruck however, the latter elegantly responded stating that he believes in ‘contributing for the team’.

“The fact that I am scoring runs is enough for me. My bat does all the talking. More than celebrations, I believe in runs and contributing for the team. Celebrating too much is not part of my nature,” responded Pujara.

India’s win over Bangladesh in the Mirpur Test match has helped them solidify their second place in the ICC World Test Championship standings. This essentially means that the side is inching closer to a spot in the summit clash of the global ICC event for the 2021-23 cycle. Their next red-ball assignment comes against WTC Table toppers, Australia at home starting February 9.