India’s veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara recalled the body blows in the Gabba Test match against Australia on the 2020-21 tour. Pujara scored 56 runs off 211 balls and played a key role in India’s historic Test win.

The solid batter was able to keep the likes of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood at bay as he batted at the top of his game. On the 2020-21 tour of Australia, Pujara amassed 271 runs in four Test matches at an average of 33.88. 

“In moments like these, it is important to look at the bigger picture. You are batting for your team, billions are looking up to you and wanting and praying for the team to do well with the series on the line. When you get hit on the body, you do get shattered sometimes, but then you have to keep your calm. You have to trust yourself, the game and the ability,” Pujara told The Indian Express.

Pujara said the pain became unbearable when he was hit on the same spot by the Australian fast bowlers.

“Getting hit once or twice is fine, but when it hits repeatedly on the same spot, the pain becomes unbearable. That’s where the mental toughness comes in. That’s when your dedication and love for the country come in. I believe in God, and he gives me strength. In tough times, you need that spiritual power, which is something beyond human understanding. I get strength that I cannot describe, but I get strength”, he further added.

Pujara played 103 Tests and 5 ODIs for India after making his debut back in 2010. He scored 7,195 Test runs at an average of 43.60, with 19 hundreds and 35 fifties.

Pujara also played an instrumental role in India’s success on the Australian tour of 2018-19. The Saurashtra batter scored 521 runs in four Test matches against the Aussies at an average of 74.43, including three centuries and thus was awarded Player of the Series.