'Mark of Respect' - CSK pick Cheteshwar Pujara for Rs 50 lakh in IPL 2021 Auction

Backbone of India’s batting line-up in the purest format of the game, Cheteshwar Pujara finally found a buyer in the IPL auction for the upcoming 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the three-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) picked the top-order batsman for a mere amount of INR 50 lakhs.

Pujara had last played in the T20 Extravaganza in 2014 and had represented Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), now captained by KL Rahul. His last IPL match was against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium in IPL 2014 where he scored an 18-ball 19 before getting out to Corey Anderson. The batsman had applied for auction many times since 2014 but could never find a potential buyer for himself.

He started his career while playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2010 after which he moved to the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). For the Challengers, he played for three seasons from 2011 to 2013. In 2014, the Rajkot-born joined KXIP. The 33-year-old had thus far featured in 30 IPL games scoring 390 runs at an average of 20.5 and strike rate of 99.7.

However, the 14th edition of the T20 Championship might finally see the return of Cheteshwar Pujara in IPL donning the Yellow jersey. Twitter went crazy with this buy by the Yellow Army as they came up with a lot of trolls and memes.

Definitely want to be part of the IPL, says Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara has often spoken about his desire of playing in the Indian league again. Recently, he has revealed that he is confident about doing well in the IPL. “Definitely want to be part of the IPL. Given an opportunity, I am confident I’ll be able to do well,” Pujara was quoted as saying by NDTV before the IPL auction.

Cheteshwar Pujara is currently playing in the four-match Test series between India and England. The series is leveled at 1-1 with England winning the first game while India clinched the second Test at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The two teams will now be up against each other in the pink-ball Test at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad, starting from February 23.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

So happy for @cheteshwar1 👏👏🙏. Well deserved!! Go well buddy

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 18, 2021

Well done @ChennaiIPL @msdhoni for allowing @cheteshwar1 the respect he so thoroughly deserves. Very happy CSK went for Pujara #IPL2021Auction #Pujara

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) February 18, 2021

Che-nnai
Che-Pu!

Can you feel the #Yellove tonight, Pujara? 💛#VIVOIPLAuction #CSK #IPL #IPLAuction #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/GAOz5v2myL

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 18, 2021

CSK buy Pujara!

What a buy. What a buy. What a buy. He can bat through the season for them.

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) February 18, 2021

Finally, Pujara gets sold. And the applause that broke out in the auction room told a story. Well done CSK #IPL2021

— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) February 18, 2021

Everyone clapping for Chennai Super Kings after the bid of Pujara.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 18, 2021

My absolute favourite thing about the #IPLAuction so far is Pujara getting a deal. Outstanding.

— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) February 18, 2021

An applause in the Auction Room as CSK gets Pujara for 50L. Well played! 👏🏼 #IPLAuctions2021

— Ajith Ramamurthy (@Ajith_tweets) February 18, 2021

Pujara Bhai in full swag thanks to CSK. pic.twitter.com/nut6ExqePs

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) February 18, 2021

Pujara vs Hazlewood, Smith vs Rabada, Smith vs Ashwin – some great contest to watch out in IPL net sessions.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 18, 2021

Welcome to super fam, Cheteshwar Pujara!🥳💛#IPLAuction #CSK #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/jQbo3BtCYe

— Whistle Podu Army ® – CSK Fan Club (@CSKFansOfficial) February 18, 2021

Not sure if Pujara will get a game at CSK, but there could be a lot behind that move. A possible move from a rival club to IC-owned Vijay CC in TNCA League could be on the cards

— Venkata Krishna B (@venkatatweets) February 18, 2021

Applause around the room as Pujara is back in the IPL. Nice little moment.

— Snehal Pradhan (@SnehalPradhan) February 18, 2021

Masterstroke By CSK !!!

bought there batting coach pujara as a player #IPLAuction2021 pic.twitter.com/HiUbdOtXU5

— sâgâr (@sagarcastic45) February 18, 2021

The way everyone applauded for @ChennaiIPL for buying Pujara. Hats off to MS Dhoni and management! 💛🔥#IPLAuction2021pic.twitter.com/84CxawCogQ

— UrMiL07™ (@urmilpatel30) February 18, 2021