A small town boy from Saurashtra has come a long way to become one of the vital names in the Test squad of Team India, Cheteshwar Pujara adds another feather to his cap as he turns 30 on Thursday. One of the most dedicated, hard working and consistant players that Team India has come across, the right handed batsman is known as the 'Man in White' as his performances make him worthy of sticking to the longest format of the game.
Pujara, who is currently in the Test squad and playing eleven for Team India in the ongoing series against South Africa, scored his 17th half century on the first day of the third Test at Johannesburg. It may not be the best birthday gift he may receive as India have lost the Test series 2-0 and are on the verge of being whitewashed, but the 30-year old swashbuckler has performed wonders for Team India, consistently executing his play in style and has saved the team's skin many times.
A phlegmatic and determined batsman, Pujara's achievements and list of accolades are not an entire depiction of the batsman as he is one of the most underrated players in the team. Despite making it big in the longest format of the game, his limited overs career didn't exactly take off as the 30-year old has represented Team India in only five One Day Internationals.
However, the Test man walloped a couple of runs where he has played 57 Test matches, scoring a whopping 4495 runs with a career best of 206 runs.
A versatile player as his comfort zone lies in any condition, home soil or overseas, the swashbuckler surely does leave his mark wherever he goes since his inevitable call-up in 2010 against Australia.
Known to follow the footsteps of 'The Wall' Rahul Dravid, Pujara has shown boldness, courage and dedication since his maiden call-up eight years back and since then there has been no holding the swashbuckler back.
The cricket fraternity wishes Chetehwar Pujara a very happy birthday!
