Cheteshwar Pujara’s career saved by Shah Rukh Khan? Former India star’s wife reveals hidden detail

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Cheteshwar Pujara’s journey in Indian cricket is often celebrated for his patience, composure, and ability to grind bowling attacks into the ground. However, not many knew that his career almost came to a standstill before it could properly begin. This was during his early association with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2010 season, where he suffered a major ACL injury before getting a single game. The injury threatened his cricket career at a crucial time when he was just emerging as a domestic star. At this moment of uncertainty, KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan stepped in and provided remarkable support. This story resurfaced recently after revelations made by Pujara’s wife in her book, highlighting Khan’s personal involvement.

Shah Rukh learned of Pujara’s injury at a time when the young batter and his family were mentally shaken. The seriousness of an ACL tear is well known, especially for a cricketer who relies heavily on stability and precise footwork at the crease. Pujara had not yet debuted in Test cricket and was still building his reputation, which made the timing of the injury even more emotionally heavy. Shah Rukh reassured the family, stating that Pujara had a bright future and must receive the best medical care available.

‘Destiny impelled him to dash heedlessly to a ball for a catch that was never there; and the result: a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, an impending surgery and a temporarily halted cricketing career – all without playing a single game for KKR,” Puja Pujara, wrote in The Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife.

The KKR management arranged the surgery in Cape Town, handled all necessary documents, and ensured that Pujara received treatment from trusted doctors. To reduce the family’s stress, they even flew Pujara’s father to South Africa so that emotional support remained intact. This gesture reflected a deep sense of responsibility toward the player rather than a transactional outlook. The recovery was long and exhausting, but the bond formed during this difficult period is remembered as a turning point. The surgery was successful, Pujara regained physical confidence, and soon became a pillar of India’s Test batting. This incident highlights how leadership grounded in compassion can influence sporting careers far beyond the field.

“Shah Rukh also told me that Chintu had a great future ahead of him and should have the best available medical treatment. When he realised I was worried about the absence of a support system in South Africa and my faith in Dr Shah’s abilities, he offered to fly him and any family members I wanted with me,” Pujara’s father was quoted as saying TOI .

“We’ll also fly down anyone you want for the surgery. We’ll pay them here so that you have your own people around you,” a representative told Pujara’s family, as mentioned in the book.

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Once recovered, Pujara did not rush his comeback. He spent months rebuilding both his technique and muscle strength, as stability in his front knee was crucial for the forward defensive play he is known for. His determination showed in his Ranji Trophy performances, where he began scoring heavily again, catching the eyes of selectors. His Test debut in 2010 was followed by iconic innings in Border-Gavaskar series, particularly those marathon knocks that helped India win historic matches.

Although his IPL career never became a defining part of his journey, his role in Test cricket grew into something monumental. He featured in 10 matches across his two seasons with KKR in 2009 and 2010, later representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) in brief stints. His strengths were always more suited to the longer format, where his patience and technique could flourish. Pujara went on to play 103 Tests for India, scoring 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, becoming one of the core pillars of the team’s batting during a defining era. His final appearance came in the World Test Championship 2023 final against Australia.

Shah Rukh’s early belief and practical support played a silent yet crucial role here, something Pujara’s family openly acknowledges now. The memory of this gesture is preserved not in statistics but in gratitude. It shows that sometimes a career is not only shaped by talent and discipline, but also by timely empathy and faith from influential individuals. Pujara later became one of India’s most reliable Test batter with over 100 Test matches and a reputation built on endurance, concentration and resilience.

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