England feels like second home: Pujara after MCC honour

Standout performances of Cheteshwar Pujara’s exemplary Test career came in Australia but the former India number three, who was recently honoured with the MCC life membership, says he only got the home away from home feeling in England.

Having toured with the Indian team thrice and played for multiple teams in county cricket, Pujara has spent the most amount of time outside Rajkot driving across the length and breadth of England.

Now bestowed with the honorary life membership of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the owner of the fabled Lord’s stadium, Pujara has another reason to visit the “Home of Cricket”.

“I’ve played a lot of county cricket in the UK. So when you end up playing a lot of cricket over there, you feel like you’re at home. And for me, it’s a great pleasure and privilege to be part of the MCC.

“And getting this honorary membership, it means a lot. As a cricketer, when you have worked hard throughout your career and when that effort is recognised, you feel proud about your achievements as a cricketer,” the 38-year-old told in an interview.

In the three Test matches he was part of at Lord’s, India won two. He could not get a hundred at the iconic venue for his national team but he looks back fondly at his double hundred for Sussex at a ground steeped in history.

Pujara, a veteran of 103 Tests, has played at all famous grounds around the world but there is something different about turning up at Lord’s.

“So I’ve got some fond memories of being at Lord’s, playing cricket, also watching cricket there. When I had my second ACL reconstruction, that was in 2011, when I was playing for RCB and I got injured. And then my knee surgery was actually in London,” he said.