‘He didn't want my husband to play’ - Pujara's wife's massive revelation on 2018 Australia tour

Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara’s wife Puja has made some surprising revelations about the cricketer's journey in her book titled, ‘The Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife’. The book reveals that there was a point during India's 2018-19 tour of Australia when discussions were held about removing Pujara from the squad.

The book claims that the incident took place after the second Test of the 2018-19 series. Pujara had scored a century in the first innings and followed it up with a half-century in the second. The Rajkot-born cricketer scored just 28 runs in the second Test in Perth in both innings combined. However, there were concerns regarding his  participation in Boxing Day Test at the MCG due to an injury.

“Cheteshwar made the most of his three-day break (between the second and the third Test) and did not step out of his room much. He alternated between resting his afflicted limb and getting his strained hamstring treated,” the book read.

“On the lone occasion when he did, he overheard someone engaged in an intense conversation on the telephone, stating that he did not want my husband to play in the coming match because he was unfit. It was an unpleasant incident. But Cheteshwar gave no sign that he had accidentally become privy to the said exchange. Neither did he tell anyone about Papa's medical condition," it added.

Also read: ‘I am prepared from my end’ – Cheteshwar Pujara opens up on Test comeback hopes

“I only learnt of the incident accidentally on Cheteshwar's birthday after the tour was over. It was around half-past-two in the afternoon, the lights were off, and the room was quite dark. Aditi was napping and Cheteshwar and I were reclining on our bed as I scrolled through our social media pages reading out birthday greetings.

“One message posted on Instagram was particularly effusive and touching. I read it out aloud to Cheteshwar, remarking, 'Such a sweet gesture—what a lovely message!' There was complete silence. He did not say a word. Puzzled, I looked up from my phone and caught a most peculiar expression on Cheteshwar's face—one that was simultaneously secretive and pitiful. I had no trouble translating his mind — it was his vintage you're-so-naïve-and-trusting look I had seen before and was therefore quite familiar with," she added.

"What's wrong,' I asked. 'Nothing,' he said, at his taciturn best. But I was not buying it. I knew quite well that when Cheteshwar went completely quiet, it usually meant he was concealing something. It is a frequent occurrence. I usually learnt about on-field gossip and politics from other players' wives, never from him. 

“Throughout my marriage, Cheteshwar's description of his various trips was limited to three unvarying sentences: 'We had practice, a team meeting, and then I returned to the room.' Day in and day out, year after year, I had been treated to the same standard lines. He was ready to talk about everything but his professional life. There were times when I would wonder if he even knew what was happening in the world around him,” she wrote further.

"'This guy you're praising,' commented Cheteshwar laconically, 'wanted me to be dropped from the team because of fitness issues.' I gaped at him. 'Why didn't you tell me earlier? Why did you go through it alone?' 'Such things happen,' he shrugged, 'and not everything deserves a reaction. I played and played well and that's what matters. You don't need to dwell too much on the incident. But it's important that you learn not to trust everything that takes place on social media,’” she concluded.