Physio Asked If I Needed Pain Killers, I Refused- Cheteshwar Pujara Says Of 'Terrible' Body Blows During The Gabba Test

Cheteshwar Pujara, the team’s most experienced batter, was subjected to ‘unbearable’ body blows in Brisbane after the Australians finally agreed to pepper him with short deliveries.

Pujara who scored 56 runs off 211 deliveries, revealed that he spoke with the physio but refused to take painkillers.

Last year, the Indian team has been roughed up but unbowed as they managed to pull off the most fondly remembered wins in Test cricket history. India made history by chasing down a 328-run target in the closing moments of their thrilling four-match Test series against Australia at the Gabba.

India retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a second straight series win in Australia, winning by seven wickets with only 17 balls remaining.

‘My main concern was that we didn’t lose too many wickets’: Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara, who scored 56 runs off 211 deliveries, revealed that he spoke with the physio and yet refused to take painkillers.

“I believe it (body blows) inspired me to do effectively. Yes, I was in some discomfort during the first two blows. The pain increased since I was trapped in the same spot 2-3 times more. It was intolerable to be hit in the fingers at one point. It was excruciating.”

Australia last lost at the venue in 1988, against the West Indies. The hosts had gone 31 Test matches undefeated before India broke through, with Rishabh Pant scoring an undefeated 89 off 138 balls and Shubman Gill scoring an elegant 91.

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