Sunil Gavaskar: Former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar engaged in a fun banter with Cheteshwar Pujara amid the Test series between England and India. Pujara jokingly asked Gavaskar to hire him in the former’s pickleball team. The two are in England for commentary and media duties.
Sunil Gavaskar: During a conversation on Sony Sports Network, Sunil Gavaskar revealed that he owns a stake in a pickleball team. Notably, he is a co-owner of Dilli Dillwale along with his son Rohan Gavaskar. Dilli Dillwale is a Delhi Franchise of the World Pickleball League (WPL).
“Can you hire me in one of your team?” Cheteshwar Pujara asked as Gavaskar made the revelation.
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐠𝐨! Sunny G offers Pujara a spot in his Pickleball team 🤝🤣 #SonySportsNetwork #GroundTumharaJeetHamari #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia #ExtraaaInnings pic.twitter.com/YMIKeHIcSJ
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 26, 2025
“Anytime. You make up your mind. Yesterday you were signed by Manchester United. Now you want to be signed by our team. We’ll give you a contract. Don’t worry. If Manchester United can give him a contract, then even I can give him one,” Gavaskar replied.
Sunil Gavaskar: Cheteshwar Pujara had once revealed that Manchester United was his favorite Premier League team. With the fourth Test taking place in Manchester, Pujara also recently visited the Old Trafford football stadium. The Indian team also visited United’s training facility ahead of the fourth Test.
Sunil Gavaskar: Cheteshwar Pujara last played a Test for India in 2023
Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara has been out of the Indian Test team since 2023. He last played a Test against Australia at The Oval during the World Test Championship (WTC) final in 2023.
The senior pro has been out of favor. He was left out of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia as well. Despite the retirement of senior players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Pujara was not considered for the England tour.
He is still active in domestic cricket and performed well in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy. The right-hander made 402 runs from seven matches for Saurashtra at an average of 40.20 with a double hundred.
Having made his Test debut in 2010, he has played 103 matches for India. Pujara has scored 7195 runs at an average of 43.60. He has 19 hundreds and 35 fifties. Against England, he has played 27 Tests, scoring 1778 runs at an average of 39.51 with five centuries and seven half-centuries.