Cheteshwar Pujara, a seasoned Indian cricketer with a remarkable career spanning over a hundred Test matches, recently shared his insights into the mental and emotional challenges cricketers face in their journey. Despite achieving significant success in his cricketing career, Pujara admitted that he still grapples with the need to constantly prove himself on the field.
Pujara’s journey in international cricket has been a roller-coaster ride with its fair share of highs and lows. His exclusion from the national squad for the West Indies tour led to moments of introspection and frustration. While he holds an impressive Test record with an average of 43.60 from 103 matches, the challenges of remaining at the top of his game persist.
The 35-year-old cricketer opened up about the unique challenge of proving oneself even after playing over 90 Test matches and amassing over 6,000 runs. He described how this ongoing need for validation could test a player’s mental fortitude. The constant questions about his ability despite his accomplishments can impact a player’s self-confidence.
Pujara acknowledged that the need to repeatedly prove himself can sometimes affect his ego. The struggle to reconcile his significant contributions to Indian cricket with the continued scrutiny can be mentally taxing. Despite his achievements, the doubts arising from this challenge make him question whether the effort is worth it.
Speaking on the “Final Word” podcast, he said, “There have been ups and downs in the last few years, and it tests you as a player because even after playing more than 90 Test matches, I still had to prove myself, that I belonged there. It’s a unique form of task. If you have to prove yourself after 90 Tests and 6,000 runs, it’s not easy,” Pujara said.
Despite the challenges, Pujara maintains a positive outlook and believes in his ability to contribute to the Indian cricket team. He takes solace in that his batting performances often correlate with the team’s success. The statistic that India has won a significant majority of matches in which he scores more than 70 or 80 runs serves as a reminder of his value to the team.
“Sometimes it messes with your ego. Despite being successful at the international level for many years, there are still questions about your ability. If you have to prove yourself over and over again, you wonder if it’s worth it,” he added.
He explained, “I keep telling myself that I know I’m supposed to be there despite knowing that with my contributions to Indian cricket, I still have a lot to offer. Whenever I scored more than 70 or 80 runs, I was told that India had gone on to win. We have not lost that specific Test match more than 80% of the time. So I know that if I score runs for the Indian team, we usually come out on top.”
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Pujara has faced recent struggles with form, particularly in 2023, where he averaged 25.85 without a century in five Test matches. However, he remains optimistic about his chances of making a comeback. He emphasizes his commitment to the team’s success and the confidence he has gained from pivotal roles in historic victories, especially against Australia.
Pujara’s candid revelations offer a glimpse into cricketers’ internal battles, irrespective of their experience and achievements. His journey underscores the mental resilience required to navigate the highs and lows of international cricket and the enduring pursuit of excellence.
As Cheteshwar Pujara continues to work towards his cricketing goals, his reflections highlight the complexities of a cricketer’s journey and the determination required to overcome challenges and continue contributing to the sport at the highest level.
