‘You've put your body on the line’ - Sunil Gavaskar welcomes Cheteshwar Pujara to 100-Test club with motivational speech
“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," said Gavaskar.
Ahead of India’s second Test against Australia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar felicitated Cheteshwar Pujara as he became the 13th player to play 100 Test matches for India.
The ever-so-dependable cricketer made his red-ball debut in October 2010 and since then, he has managed to score 7021 runs in the longest format of the game. Pujara has been a crucial part of the team for over a decade now and has been brilliant not just in home matches but in foreign conditions as well.
Gavaskar acknowledged that and lauded Pujara for working hard, having 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.
“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, self-belief to lift yourself up from lean periods, and then stay focussed on getting the job done. 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,” said Gavaskar in the felicitation ceremony.
“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,” the 73-year-old added.
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379I wish you become the first Indian to score a hundred in your 100th Test: Gavaskar
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.
“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,” the legendary cricketer said.
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