As the cricketing world is swept up in the thrill of IPL 2025, a quieter yet deeply meaningful narrative has emerged off the field. Veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara, along with his wife Puja Pujara, has unveiled a touching memoir titled ‘The Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife: A Very Unusual Memoir.’ Scheduled to hit shelves on April 29, the book—published by HarperCollins India and co-authored with Namita Kala—has already struck a chord with fans and readers alike.
Cheteshwar Pujara announces book on his life, authored by wife Puja Pujara
Departing from the usual cricket-centric autobiographies, this memoir shifts the focus to the often-unseen journey of the spouse—the emotional backbone of a player’s career. Written in Puja’s voice, it delves into her life since marrying Cheteshwar in 2013, exploring the transformation from a woman unfamiliar with cricket to a steadfast supporter of one of India’s toughest Test cricketers.
From navigating missed anniversaries due to overseas tours to understanding the heartbreaks and triumphs that come with a cricketing career, Puja paints an unfiltered picture of the woman behind “The Wall.” It’s not just about stats and matches—it’s about late-night video calls, quiet prayers, managing a household, and cheering silently from afar.
The book offers rare insights into their marriage, where cricket slowly became an integral part of Puja’s world. She candidly writes about learning sports nutrition to support her husband’s vegetarian lifestyle, managing the Pujara home as the only woman in a traditional family, and the quiet strength required to endure the pressures that come with being a cricketer’s life partner.
In a touching announcement video shared by the couple on Instagram, Cheteshwar introduced the project: “I’m really excited to share something close to our hearts,” while Puja, smiling, playfully reminded him, “It’s your journey, but I’m the author,” calling herself the observer from “the non-striker’s end.”
Also READ: Surrey pays tribute to Alec Stewart’s late wife with flags at half-mast and armbands at Kia Oval
A journey from Rajkot to the global stage
While the memoir is largely Puja’s perspective, it beautifully complements the story of Cheteshwar’s rise—from playing in the narrow lanes of Rajkot’s railway colony to becoming one of India’s most dependable Test batters. Having scored over 7,000 Test runs across 103 matches, including 19 centuries and three double centuries, Pujara earned the nickname “The Wall 2.0” for his stoic resistance at the crease.
Cheteshwar may not currently be part of the Indian playing XI—his last appearance being the 2023 WTC final—but he’s taken on a new role during IPL 2025 as a Hindi commentator and cricket analyst. His expert insights have been well received, bringing a different dimension to his post-playing career.
Also READ: Zaheer Khan and his actress wife Sagarika Ghatge become parents to a baby boy
Source link
