Cheteshwar Pujara will not be a family identify within the Indian Premier League, however a defining second of his profession got here means again in 2009 — lengthy earlier than he grew to become certainly one of India’s most reliable Check batsmen. At simply 21, Pujara was on the cusp of constructing his mark within the event with Kolkata Knight Riders, having earned a spot within the squad after a stellar home season. However a sudden, career-threatening knee harm throughout a apply match threatened to derail all his plans.
A bit-known story from 2009 has been recounted in The Diary of a Cricketer’s Spouse, written by Cheteshwar Pujara’s spouse, PujaLengthy earlier than he grew to become a mainstay in India’s Check workforce, Pujara’s cricket profession almost got here to a halt — and Shah Rukh Khan and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) performed a pivotal function in saving it.
The Damage That Might Have Ended It All
After a stellar 2008 home season, Pujara was set to make his mark within the IPL. KKR had promised him a spot within the enjoying eleven, and his future regarded shiny. However throughout a apply match, a routine try at a catch turned disastrous.
“Future impelled him to sprint headlessly to a ball for a catch that was by no means there; and the end result: a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, an impending surgical procedure and a briefly halted cricketing profession — all with out enjoying a single sport for KKR,” the e-book remembers.
Shah Rukh Khan Steps In
KKR administration instantly took accountability. The franchise promised to cowl all medical bills and organized for Pujara to endure surgical procedure in Cape City, South Africa, the place docs specialised in sports activities accidents.
Pujara’s father, nevertheless, was hesitant. He didn’t have a passport and wished his son to return to Rajkot, the place a trusted household good friend, Dr Nirbhay Shah, might function. He was frightened concerning the lack of a help system overseas.
Shah Rukh Khan personally reassured him that South Africa was the perfect place to have the surgical procedure and never India.
“Shah Rukh additionally advised me that Chintu had a fantastic future forward of him and may have the best-available medical remedy. When he realized I used to be frightened concerning the absence of a help system in South Africa and my religion in Dr Shah’s talents, he provided to fly him and any relations I wished with me,” Pujara’s father is quoted as saying within the e-book.
Making the Inconceivable Occur
KKR effectively dealt with passports, visas, and journey preparations in document time, making what appeared inconceivable occur. Shah Rukh personally reassured Pujara’s household that KKR would fly out anybody wanted to help one of many junior-most members of the workforce.
“We’ll additionally fly down anybody you need for the surgical procedure. We’ll pay them right here so that you’ve your personal folks round you,” a consultant advised Pujara’s household, making certain he had full help throughout the crucial surgical procedure. Inside days, Pujara’s father and Dr Shah had been in Cape City, Puja writes.
From Setback to Success
The surgical procedure was profitable, and Pujara recovered absolutely. Whereas his IPL profession by no means took off, he went on to develop into certainly one of India’s most reliable Check batsmendelivering a number of match-defining innings for India.
This story, revealed via Puja Pujara’s e-book, presents a uncommon glimpse of the human facet of Shah Rukh Khan and the professionalism of KKR, exhibiting how well timed help could make an enormous distinction in a participant’s profession.
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