Cheteshwar Pujara, who announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Sunday, leaves behind a career celebrated for its patience, courage and resilience. Among the many innings that defined him, his 56 off 211 balls during India’s historic win at the Gabba in 2021 stands out,but not just for the runs, but for the sheer physical punishment he withstood. On the final day in Brisbane, as Australia’s fast bowlers launched a relentless barrage, Pujara was struck 11 times on his body. Pat Cummins hit him on the back of the helmet, below the neck, chest, thigh, bicep and once on the gloves.Mitchell Starc rapped him twice on the bottom glove, while Josh Hazlewood delivered three painful blows. One was on the arm above the elbow, the other on the gloves that even made him drop his bat, and finally on the helmet which saw his neck guard fall off.
Cheteshwar Pujara is seen to by a medic after being struck by the ball during day five of the 4th Test Match in the series between Australia and India at The Gabba on January 19, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Each strike was a painful blow, but Pujara refused to flinch. His 211-ball vigil blunted Australia’s pace attack and set the stage for Rishabh Pant to script one of India’s most famous Test victories. Explaining his mindset later, Pujara revealed why he chose to take the blows rather than fend them with the bat. “Getting hit on the head wasn’t very painful because you have the protection of a helmet. Yes, it looks very scary when you’re watching on TV and even as a batter you don’t want to get hit on the helmet … forget about the pain and the bruises … but talking about that pitch, I feel it had variable bounce. Especially from one end, the ball wasn’t rising much and then at times it was rising more than what I was expecting,” Pujara said back in 2021.
Cheteshwar Pujara is struck by the ball during day five of the 4th Test Match in the series between Australia and India at The Gabba on January 19, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
“There was the option of defending with the bat, but it wasn’t the safe option because the ball could hit your glove and go to short leg, leg slip or gully or you can be out caught-behind. So I wanted to rule that option out. That is why I was taking blows on my body,” he added.
Cheteshwar Pujara is seen to by a medic after being struck by the ball during day five of the 4th Test Match in the series between Australia and India at The Gabba on January 19, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Pujara’s endurance earned praise from across the cricketing world. Sunil Gavaskar, paying tribute after his retirement, told TOI, “One of the old-school cricketers who put India above everything else. Took endless blows for Indian cricket but never took a backward step. Hopefully, Indian cricket will use his experience and expertise to teach young budding cricketers that whatever they become in life is because of Indian cricket and it should come above anything and everything. Take a bow, Cheteshwar. You have made India proud.”
Poll
What do you think defines Cheteshwar Pujara’s playing style the most?
In many ways, those 11 blows at the Gabba captured the essence of Cheteshwar Pujara — a batter who wore pain as armour, and stood tall when India needed him most.
Where all was Pujara hit and by whom?
- 32.5 overs – Back of helmet (Pat Cummins)
- 34.3 overs – Back below neck (Cummins)
- 36.2 overs – Back thigh (Cummins)
- 36.5 overs – Chest (Cummins)
- 30.1 overs – Left bicep (Cummins)
- 40.3 overs – Bottom glove (Cummins)
- 16.5 overs – Bottom glove (Mitchell Starc)
- 43.1 overs – Bottom glove (Starc)
- 44.3 overs – Arm above left elbow (Josh Hazlewood)
- 48.2 overs – Bottom glove, drops bat (Hazlewood)
- 50.5 overs – Helmet, neck guard falls off (Hazlewood)
Body parts struck
- Helmet/neck: 2
- Back below neck: 1
- Back thigh: 1
- Chest: 1
- Left bicep: 1
- Arm above elbow: 1
- Gloves: 4
