Thought of Playing Ranji but Felt Youngsters Will be Ready Sooner: Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara, one of India’s most consistent and successful Test batters, announced his retirement from all forms of the game on Sunday. In a surprising move, Pujara, who has been an integral part of the Indian team for over a decade, decided to hang up his boots, leaving fans and the cricketing world shocked. In a recent interview, Pujara shared some interesting insights into his thought process behind his decision, revealing that he even considered playing the Ranji Trophy this season but ultimately decided against it.
In an exclusive interview with News18, Pujara revealed that he thought about playing Ranji Trophy this season but ultimately decided against it, citing the need to give younger players the opportunity to shine. “I thought about playing Ranji Trophy this season, but I felt that the youngsters will be ready sooner,” Pujara said. “This was my personal call,” he added.
Pujara’s decision to retire from international cricket has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. The 34-year-old batter has been an integral part of the Indian team, playing a crucial role in many of the team’s successes. He has been one of the most consistent Test batters, with over 8,000 runs to his name. Despite his impressive record, Pujara’s career has been marked by ups and downs, and he has faced criticism for his slow scoring rate and inability to convert starts into big hundreds.
However, Pujara’s decision to retire has also been seen as a sign of his willingness to give younger players the opportunity to take the reins. With the likes of Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw, and Hanuma Vihari already showcasing their skills, it’s clear that the future of Indian cricket looks bright. Pujara’s decision to step aside and let the younger generation take over is a testament to his selflessness and his commitment to the growth of Indian cricket.
In the same interview, Pujara also touched upon the subject of his non-inclusion in the Indian team in the past few years. When asked about the past few years when he wasn’t part of Team India, Pujara diplomatically chose to remain tight-lipped. “About the past few years when I wasn’t part of Team India, I don’t want to speak much,” he said.
Pujara’s decision to retire from international cricket marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. His contributions to the team cannot be overstated, and he will be remembered as one of the greatest Test batters India has produced. As he looks to the future, Pujara’s decision to give younger players the opportunity to shine is a testament to his commitment to the growth of Indian cricket.
