Cheteshwar Pujara’s Wife Reveals Shocking Incident about Pujara getting dropped from the Indian Test Squad

In a startling revelation, Cheteshwar Pujara’s wife, Puja, has shared a deeply personal and emotional episode from the cricketer’s career in her recently released book “The Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife”. The disclosure has stirred conversations across the cricketing world, shedding light on the mental toll of professional sports and the often-unseen challenges faced by players.

A Phone Call That Changed Everything

According to Puja, the incident dates back to India’s 2018–19 tour of Australia, a pivotal series in Pujara’s career. Despite being instrumental in India’s overseas success, Pujara was battling poor form during the Perth Test. He managed just 28 runs and was nursing a strained hamstring. Meanwhile, back home, his father was hospitalized—a fact he kept to himself to stay focused on the tour.

During a rare moment when he stepped out of his hotel room, Pujara reportedly overheard a senior Team India member on a call, advocating for his exclusion from the next Test match due to fitness concerns. The incident, though unsettling, was never discussed publicly—until now.

A Birthday Confession

Puja only learned of this moment months later, on Pujara’s birthday, when they were reading social media greetings together. One post, effusive in its praise for a particular person, triggered a silent, knowing expression from Pujara. Puzzled by his reaction, Puja pressed him for an explanation. What followed was a quiet admission: “This guy you’re praising wanted me to be dropped from the team because of fitness issues.”

Puja writes that she was stunned. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” she asked him. His reply was stoic: “Such things happen, and not everything deserves a reaction. I played, and I played well. That’s what matters.”

A Glimpse Into Pujara’s Reserved Personality

The book also reveals how guarded Pujara has been throughout his career. Puja describes his typical post-tour summaries as limited to three lines: “We had practice, a team meeting, and then I returned to the room.” She often relied on other players’ wives to understand what was really happening behind the scenes.

This revelation adds a new dimension to Pujara’s legacy. Known for his calm demeanor and classical technique, Pujara has also displayed immense resilience in silence. While selectors have overlooked him in recent times, fans and former players continue to admire his contributions to Indian cricket.

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