Test cricket is the ultimate form of the game: Cheteshwar Pujara

image-le832n1jCheteshwar Pujara seen with Rohit Sharma and Vikram Rathour [Source: Twitter]

India's Cheteshwar Pujara became the 13th cricketer from the nation to play 100 Tests when the prolific batter took the field against Australia in the second Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 today.

Ahead of the start of play, Pujara was felicitated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), where former India captain Sunil Gavaskar presented the Saurashtra-born with a memento. 

The DDCA has also planned a felicitation for Pujara. 

Speaking during the presentation, the 35-year-old spoke about the importance of Test cricket.

Here's what Pujara said

"Thanks Sunny bhai, [it's an] honour to receive it from you. Legends like you have inspired me., As a young cricketer, I always dreamt of playing for India, but I never thought I'd be playing 100 Test matches for India. I believe Test cricket is the ultimate form of the game and it tests your temperament; there are so many similarities between life and Test cricket,”



Pujara further thanked the BCCI, Saurashtra Cricket Association(SCA), his fellow teammates, and family for their continuous support.

As of writing, Australia are 220 for 6, with Pat Cummins (30*) and Peter Handscomb  (50*) batting in the middle. Australia won the toss and opted to bat. The Pat Cummins-led side handed a debut to Matthew Kuhnemann as Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green remained unavailable.

India made just one change, replacing Suryakumar Yadav with Shreyas Iyer in the XI.