Bittersweet October for young Pujara

October 9, 2005 was a tragic day for Cheteshwar Pujara, a day his mother lost her battle with cancer. Five years later, he made his Test debut in Bangalore, playing a critical role in India's chase to seal the series 2-0. His success, in an age where rewards appear disproportionate to ability, is a refreshing sign. Anand Vasu, in the Hindustan Times, has more.

Chintu, as Cheteshwar is known to his friends and family, had made a name for himself on the biggest stage in cricket. At a time when most young cricketers worship fast cars, multi-crore contracts and the assorted trappings of fame, an unassuming young man from a cricketing backwater made the grade.

The soft-spoken Cheteshwar, his father assures us, still does puja every day, offering prayers to his favourite deity. On Wednesday, some of those prayers were answered.