Saurashtra Ranji trophy player and Kolkata Knight Riders’ import, Cheteshwar Pujara has said that he was confident that he should be back playing cricket in a few weeks, and should feature in the Kolkata Knight Riders team next year. Pujara tore his left ligament during a practice for his team, the Kolkata Knight Riders during a practice match in Bloemfontein; even before the tournament had begun.
Pujara also said that all his team-mates have been kind enough towards him to show genuine concern, including Brendon McCullum, the captain and Sourav Gamguly, along with John Buchanan and Joy Bhattacharya.
In fact, the entire expenses for the operation have been borne by the Kolkata Knight Riders team management, and this includes Pujara’s dad’s trip to South Africa to be with him during the surgery. Cheteshwar’s father, Arvind Pujara said, “I was overwhelmed by the KKR for having shown so much kindness and generosity towards Cheteshwar and us. Contrary to whatsoever appears in the media about the KKR franchisee Shah Rukh Khan [Images], I must say I was touched by his magnanimous gesture.”
Pujara could have been a great asset to the team given his performances in the previous season’s performances. He had hit a couple of triple-centuries and his appetite for runs had ensured that he finished the season as one of the top scorers. In fact, the Knight Riders had been lauded for the selection of Pujara, but this untimely injury meant that he was not able to play in the tournament.