Indian Test stalwart Cheteshwar Pujara has opened up about the physical and mental resilience he displayed during the historic Gabba Test of 2021, where India scripted a legendary win over Australia to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Pujara revealed that despite sustaining a hairline fracture on his index finger, he avoided scans to prevent being ruled out of the match. He endured multiple body blows, deliberately taking them instead of playing risky shots on a difficult, unpredictable pitch.
Pujara explained that he focused on surviving the early sessions on Day 5, aware that the match would open up later. His stoic resistance, combined with contributions from young teammates, helped India breach Australia’s 32-year unbeaten streak at The Gabba with a historic three-wicket victory on January 19, 2021.
His courage under fire has become a defining image of India’s grit on that tour, which saw a severely depleted squad rise against all odds to achieve one of Indian cricket’s greatest triumphs.
