Cheteshwar Pujara felicitated at Rajkot's Niranjan Shah Stadium

In a heartwarming ceremony at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara was bestowed with a grand felicitation, a celebration of his unwavering contributions to cricket spanning over a decade.

The Saurashtra Cricket Association, playing host to the event, seized the opportunity to rename the stadium after the esteemed administrator, Niranjan Shah. Pujara, a stalwart with 103 Test matches under his belt, marked the occasion with humility and gratitude.

Pujara expressed gratitude to Saurashtra Cricket and Jay Shah for the felicitation. He also thanked teammates, coaches, and fans for their support throughout his journey and expressed eagerness to continue contributing to his country.

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"Overwhelmed with gratitude. Thankful to Saurashtra Cricket and Jay Shah for the felicitation. It's an honor to mark this occasion at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, a place that stands as a tribute to the rich heritage of our wonderful game. Thanks to my teammates, coaches, and fans who've been a part of this journey so far, and I look forward to continue contributing to my country," Pujara posted on X.

The ceremony wasn't solely focused on Pujara; his teammate Ravindra Jadeja also received well-deserved accolades. Both players, having shared the field since their under-14 days for Saurashtra, have built a remarkable camaraderie. Pujara reminisced the challenges he faced in his early cricketing days and expressed gratitude to those who have been part of his journey. 

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Pujara has an impressive Test cricket record. Having played 103 matches since making his debut in 2010, the right-hander has scored a total of 7195 runs at an average of 43.6 with a highest score of 206*. Pujara has 19 centuries, 35 fifties, 863 fours, and 16 sixes.