What do you think?
Rate this book
The Diary of a Cricketer's Wife: A Very Unusual Memoir
'What do you know about the boy?' Dad asked. 'He plays cricket for India,' Fufaji replied, as if this mere fact was a clincher.
The announcement did not make any noticeable impression on my father and Geeta Didi, because, like me, they did not follow cricket.
'I've seen him play,' announced my mother, astounding us all. 'You have?' I asked, dumbfounded.
In 2013, Puja Pabari, who had never followed cricket and didn't understand the game, married Cheteshwar Pujara and witnessed firsthand what happens in a cricketer's daily life. Over the next few years, however, she learnt the nuances of the game, understood sports nutrition to take care of
the diet requirements of a vegetarian husband and took charge of the Pujara household as the sole woman in the house.
In The Diary of a Cricketer's Wife, Puja brings a unique perspective on what it takes to be a cricketer's wife, the pressures of managing expectations on both personal and professional fronts and the struggles, vulnerabilities and triumphs of being so closely associated with the game in a cricket-crazy
nation. Alongside, she offers a rare glimpse into Cheteshwar Pujara's life, from playing street cricket at a railway colony in Rajkot to eventually becoming one of the greatest test cricketers in India, and the sacrifices his parents made to ensure he fulfilled his dream despite their difficult circumstances.
Heartfelt and candid, The Diary of a Cricketer's Wife is a testament to the resilience and passion that define Cheteshwar as well as the couple's enduring love and commitment to each other-a rollercoaster of emotions.
The announcement did not make any noticeable impression on my father and Geeta Didi, because, like me, they did not follow cricket.
'I've seen him play,' announced my mother, astounding us all. 'You have?' I asked, dumbfounded.
In 2013, Puja Pabari, who had never followed cricket and didn't understand the game, married Cheteshwar Pujara and witnessed firsthand what happens in a cricketer's daily life. Over the next few years, however, she learnt the nuances of the game, understood sports nutrition to take care of
the diet requirements of a vegetarian husband and took charge of the Pujara household as the sole woman in the house.
In The Diary of a Cricketer's Wife, Puja brings a unique perspective on what it takes to be a cricketer's wife, the pressures of managing expectations on both personal and professional fronts and the struggles, vulnerabilities and triumphs of being so closely associated with the game in a cricket-crazy
nation. Alongside, she offers a rare glimpse into Cheteshwar Pujara's life, from playing street cricket at a railway colony in Rajkot to eventually becoming one of the greatest test cricketers in India, and the sacrifices his parents made to ensure he fulfilled his dream despite their difficult circumstances.
Heartfelt and candid, The Diary of a Cricketer's Wife is a testament to the resilience and passion that define Cheteshwar as well as the couple's enduring love and commitment to each other-a rollercoaster of emotions.
- GenresMemoirNonfiction
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2025
7 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 21, 2025
The Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife offers a candid and heartfelt peek behind the scenes of Indian cricket through the eyes of Puja Pabari, the wife of one of India’s most resilient cricket players, Cheteshwar Pujara. This is not your usual sports biography. Instead, it’s an ‘unusual memoir’, as the title aptly suggests, blending personal stories, emotional insights, and untold challenges that come with being married to a public figure.
The book begins with Puja recounting how she was introduced to Cheteshwar through family, unsure at first about their compatibility. But as she got to know him, his quiet strength, discipline, and deep love for the game, her doubts gave way to admiration and, eventually, love.
Through Puja’s eyes, we get to know the man beyond the pitch, his introverted nature, his close bond with his mother, his inability to express emotions easily, and the personal costs of a life so rigidly defined by discipline. She opens up about the struggles during Cheteshwar’s injury phases, his sidelining in the IPL, and the emotional toll of being unable to play the game he lives for.
One of the most touching aspects is how Puja gradually steps into the role of his manager, support system, and steady anchor, from monitoring his vegetarian diet to managing media appearances.
The writing, co-authored with Namita Kale, is wonderfully lucid and will be understood by those who don’t follow cricket. The narration is sincere and engaging, which made me finish the book within two days!
If you are looking for a memoir that goes beyond the stadium lights and scoreboards to tell a deeply personal story of love, sacrifice, and quiet strength, The Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife is a must-read. You’ll come away with a newfound respect not just for Cheteshwar Pujara but also for the woman who stands beside him.
The book begins with Puja recounting how she was introduced to Cheteshwar through family, unsure at first about their compatibility. But as she got to know him, his quiet strength, discipline, and deep love for the game, her doubts gave way to admiration and, eventually, love.
Through Puja’s eyes, we get to know the man beyond the pitch, his introverted nature, his close bond with his mother, his inability to express emotions easily, and the personal costs of a life so rigidly defined by discipline. She opens up about the struggles during Cheteshwar’s injury phases, his sidelining in the IPL, and the emotional toll of being unable to play the game he lives for.
One of the most touching aspects is how Puja gradually steps into the role of his manager, support system, and steady anchor, from monitoring his vegetarian diet to managing media appearances.
The writing, co-authored with Namita Kale, is wonderfully lucid and will be understood by those who don’t follow cricket. The narration is sincere and engaging, which made me finish the book within two days!
If you are looking for a memoir that goes beyond the stadium lights and scoreboards to tell a deeply personal story of love, sacrifice, and quiet strength, The Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife is a must-read. You’ll come away with a newfound respect not just for Cheteshwar Pujara but also for the woman who stands beside him.
May 8, 2025
My personal opinion: Author tries to use too many complicated words when there is no need making reading difficult. Found the writing pretty dull. For example, read the following
“Before we knew it, we both bore vermillion streaks on our brows. The deed was done and we were being fed mithais by our loving relatives. My chagrin was acute, as I visualized unending bouts of mithai-eating looming ominously ahead of me. However, I forced down my rising hysteria. This was one of those times when discretion was definitely better than valour.”
And the simplified version
“Before we realized it, we both had red marks on our forehead and it was done. Our families were feeding us sweets with love and excitement. I felt really uncomfortable, imagining that I’d have to eat a never-ending amount of sweets. Still, I held myself together. This was one of those moments where staying quiet was smarter than speaking up.”
Why not put it in simple words? This is just one of the many paragraphs.
“Before we knew it, we both bore vermillion streaks on our brows. The deed was done and we were being fed mithais by our loving relatives. My chagrin was acute, as I visualized unending bouts of mithai-eating looming ominously ahead of me. However, I forced down my rising hysteria. This was one of those times when discretion was definitely better than valour.”
And the simplified version
“Before we realized it, we both had red marks on our forehead and it was done. Our families were feeding us sweets with love and excitement. I felt really uncomfortable, imagining that I’d have to eat a never-ending amount of sweets. Still, I held myself together. This was one of those moments where staying quiet was smarter than speaking up.”
Why not put it in simple words? This is just one of the many paragraphs.
May 20, 2025
A wonderful read... Flowing and so grounded
What comes out clearly is Cheteshwar pujara as a unique person but equally his wife.. As a unique writer!
Recommended reading!
What comes out clearly is Cheteshwar pujara as a unique person but equally his wife.. As a unique writer!
Recommended reading!
May 17, 2025
What happens when you're suddenly thrown into a world you’ve never known—all because you fell in love?
The Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife is Puja Pabari’s heartfelt account of exactly that—of marrying Cheteshwar Pujara without knowing a single rule of cricket, and slowly finding her place in a world filled with stadium lights, media pressure, and endless travel.
This isn’t just about cricket—it’s about love, adjustment, identity, and the quiet strength it takes to stand beside someone who lives in the public eye. Puja opens up about her fears, the sacrifices she made, and how she found herself along the way.
I loved this book because it felt so real and relatable. The way Puja wrote about her insecurities, her growth, and the little joys and struggles of daily life made me feel like I was right there with her. Her journey reminded me how powerful silent support can be—and how love, in its quietest moments, becomes the loudest force.
Reading this felt like listening to a friend pour her heart out over chai—raw, warm, and full of moments that make you pause and reflect. Whether you’re a cricket fan or not, this book is for anyone who’s ever stood behind a dream—be it theirs or someone they love.
The Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife is Puja Pabari’s heartfelt account of exactly that—of marrying Cheteshwar Pujara without knowing a single rule of cricket, and slowly finding her place in a world filled with stadium lights, media pressure, and endless travel.
This isn’t just about cricket—it’s about love, adjustment, identity, and the quiet strength it takes to stand beside someone who lives in the public eye. Puja opens up about her fears, the sacrifices she made, and how she found herself along the way.
I loved this book because it felt so real and relatable. The way Puja wrote about her insecurities, her growth, and the little joys and struggles of daily life made me feel like I was right there with her. Her journey reminded me how powerful silent support can be—and how love, in its quietest moments, becomes the loudest force.
Reading this felt like listening to a friend pour her heart out over chai—raw, warm, and full of moments that make you pause and reflect. Whether you’re a cricket fan or not, this book is for anyone who’s ever stood behind a dream—be it theirs or someone they love.
July 3, 2025
Loved the insights into the world we know all too well from the outside... The BGT 2020-21 chapter was the highlight for me... brought back all the feels! What a story - humble beginnings and eyes always on the ball!
September 17, 2025
I picked this up in honor of Pujara’s recent retirement and also because I’ve never read a memoir from this perspective before - of a cricketer’s wife who accompanied him thru the highs and lows of his career.
I usually find Indian cricketers’ autobiographies painfully dull. They tend to be so cautious about avoiding controversy that they strip themselves of any authenticity, portraying flawless, idealized versions of themselves. They also mostly lean into a “victim narrative” as though their careers ended only because the world conspired against them.
Naturally I went in expecting more of the same. But Puja’s book turned out to be a refreshing surprise. Yes, she does very occasionally go into that familiar territory - like when she insists Pujara never got a fair chance in white-ball cricket (when, in reality, his game simply never suited those formats). But more often than not, she avoids painting him as a saint.
She writes candidly about his flaws - his rigidity in matters of ideology and religion, his unbending routines, even how his obsession with pre-match preparation led him to insist their infant daughter sleep in a separate room so he could rest undisturbed. She also doesn’t shy away from critiquing the overwhelming influence of Pujara’s father, whose relentless push for success left little room for pause or celebration, shaping Pujara’s almost joyless march from one series to the next.
Her reflections on faith and tradition were great too. She openly admits she initially struggled to accept some of Pujara’s and his family’s rigid religious practices though she eventually came to appreciate their charitable aspects. In today’s charged political climate in India, such honesty is rare and commendable, especially knowing how easily trolls might seize upon these statements to misrepresent them.
All in all, even though this memoir isn’t written by Pujara himself, it offers one of the more authentic portraits of a modern Indian cricketer I’ve read. If you’re a fan of sports memoirs like me, this book will likely surprise you as much as it did me.
I usually find Indian cricketers’ autobiographies painfully dull. They tend to be so cautious about avoiding controversy that they strip themselves of any authenticity, portraying flawless, idealized versions of themselves. They also mostly lean into a “victim narrative” as though their careers ended only because the world conspired against them.
Naturally I went in expecting more of the same. But Puja’s book turned out to be a refreshing surprise. Yes, she does very occasionally go into that familiar territory - like when she insists Pujara never got a fair chance in white-ball cricket (when, in reality, his game simply never suited those formats). But more often than not, she avoids painting him as a saint.
She writes candidly about his flaws - his rigidity in matters of ideology and religion, his unbending routines, even how his obsession with pre-match preparation led him to insist their infant daughter sleep in a separate room so he could rest undisturbed. She also doesn’t shy away from critiquing the overwhelming influence of Pujara’s father, whose relentless push for success left little room for pause or celebration, shaping Pujara’s almost joyless march from one series to the next.
Her reflections on faith and tradition were great too. She openly admits she initially struggled to accept some of Pujara’s and his family’s rigid religious practices though she eventually came to appreciate their charitable aspects. In today’s charged political climate in India, such honesty is rare and commendable, especially knowing how easily trolls might seize upon these statements to misrepresent them.
All in all, even though this memoir isn’t written by Pujara himself, it offers one of the more authentic portraits of a modern Indian cricketer I’ve read. If you’re a fan of sports memoirs like me, this book will likely surprise you as much as it did me.
June 5, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. Cricket books are my all time favourite genre. I return to them every time I feel low and need a bit of motivation to keep going. This book didn’t disappoint. The first half of this book looks at how Puja finds out she is going to marry an Indian cricketer and the many adjustments she had to make to get used to that life. She used to work as a customer relationship manager at an MNC in India. Overnight she became the wife of a cricketer. It looks quite glamorous from the outside but reading this book helped me empathize with the many struggles of that life. A cricketer’s life requires many physical and emotional sacrifices and brunt of that is faced by the cricketer’s inner circle and close family members.
There were many times when Chesteshwara Pujara would refuse to adjust or change his schedule to accommodate his family’s needs. Pujara also struggled to communicate the daily pressure and grind of being accepted and rejected by the cricketing fraternity. He was bracketed as a test player very early on in his career even though he wanted to pursue a career in the shorter formats of the game. He played 100 tests by the end of the career but was dropped multiple times through this period creating a lot of uncertainty in his life. He adjusted by focusing on domestic cricket in India and county cricket in England. But you could feel the pain he felt because of the many rejections at the national level throughout the book. He was a solid cricketer and played many important knocks for the country. However he also went through many personal struggles when he reached professional highs. His father went into surgery when he was given the man of the series award during the India Australia tour in 2018. He lost his mother at the age of 17. I loved learning about his spiritual side and how it has guided him through his life. I have not seen too many cricketers talk so openly about that aspect of their life. It also shows you how exercise, sleep and nutrition as such an important part of your life as a professional athlete. Any comprise in these areas can affect your performance on the field. Pujara led a very disciplined and simple life as a cricketer.
Puja Pujara is a great writer and you can see that this book is based on years of observation and experience. She was able to complete her MBA and was focused on a successful professional career. But she had to change all her plans after marriage. She was very flexible and understanding throughout and it was really interesting to see her come to terms with a cricketer’s demanding lifestyle. She transitioned to become a player manager over time and used many of her professional skills in that regard in this new role. She spoke about the struggles of travelling abroad with kids and adjusting physically and culturally on so many international tours.
She was committed to her personal and professional life and balanced them both much better than Pujara. I would have liked to see more instances where she expressed negative emotions in stressful situations. I got the impression that she normally just accepted what Pujara said and went with the flow. I am sure there were several instances where she found a middle ground but that didn’t seem to come through. I would have also liked to learn more about what the career of a player manager looks like on a day to day basis. That would have been interesting to read and explore as a cricket fan.
This book is an honest, vulnerable and raw portrait of the life of a cricketer but also the impact of that cricketer’s life on his loved ones on a day to day basis.
Hope to see more such sports memoirs in an Indian context in the near future.
There were many times when Chesteshwara Pujara would refuse to adjust or change his schedule to accommodate his family’s needs. Pujara also struggled to communicate the daily pressure and grind of being accepted and rejected by the cricketing fraternity. He was bracketed as a test player very early on in his career even though he wanted to pursue a career in the shorter formats of the game. He played 100 tests by the end of the career but was dropped multiple times through this period creating a lot of uncertainty in his life. He adjusted by focusing on domestic cricket in India and county cricket in England. But you could feel the pain he felt because of the many rejections at the national level throughout the book. He was a solid cricketer and played many important knocks for the country. However he also went through many personal struggles when he reached professional highs. His father went into surgery when he was given the man of the series award during the India Australia tour in 2018. He lost his mother at the age of 17. I loved learning about his spiritual side and how it has guided him through his life. I have not seen too many cricketers talk so openly about that aspect of their life. It also shows you how exercise, sleep and nutrition as such an important part of your life as a professional athlete. Any comprise in these areas can affect your performance on the field. Pujara led a very disciplined and simple life as a cricketer.
Puja Pujara is a great writer and you can see that this book is based on years of observation and experience. She was able to complete her MBA and was focused on a successful professional career. But she had to change all her plans after marriage. She was very flexible and understanding throughout and it was really interesting to see her come to terms with a cricketer’s demanding lifestyle. She transitioned to become a player manager over time and used many of her professional skills in that regard in this new role. She spoke about the struggles of travelling abroad with kids and adjusting physically and culturally on so many international tours.
She was committed to her personal and professional life and balanced them both much better than Pujara. I would have liked to see more instances where she expressed negative emotions in stressful situations. I got the impression that she normally just accepted what Pujara said and went with the flow. I am sure there were several instances where she found a middle ground but that didn’t seem to come through. I would have also liked to learn more about what the career of a player manager looks like on a day to day basis. That would have been interesting to read and explore as a cricket fan.
This book is an honest, vulnerable and raw portrait of the life of a cricketer but also the impact of that cricketer’s life on his loved ones on a day to day basis.
Hope to see more such sports memoirs in an Indian context in the near future.
June 17, 2025
In the vast canon of Indian cricket literature, "The Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife" emerges as an unexpectedly tender, introspective, and humanising account, not of a sporting legend, but of the universe that orbits him. Penned by Puja Pabari, wife of India’s Test stalwart Cheteshwar Pujara, and co-authored by Namita Kala, this memoir is not a typical cricket biography. It is, in fact, a lens into the rarely chronicled world of a sportsman’s family, the sacrifices they silently bear, and the resilience that anchors greatness.
Most sports autobiographies read like polished resumes, structured, reverential, often sanitised. What sets the book apart is its deliberate disinterest in glorifying on-field milestones. Instead, it reconstructs the scaffolding that allows those milestones to exist: the emotionally taxing silences, the logistical juggling, the quiet heartbreaks, and the immense emotional labour undertaken by those in the wings.
In this book, she doesn't attempt to idolize her husband. She portrays him as a man of immense self-discipline, spiritual inclination, and emotional reticence. His pain after his mother’s untimely death, his bruised body in the Sydney and Brisbane Tests, his frustrations with selections, all are narrated with a dignified restraint that resonates deeply.
In a genre often dominated by male voices, her perspective brings a refreshing honesty. Her candid confessions of insecurity, moments of emotional distance, and even confusion about cricketing jargon in the early days make the story relatable. One is reminded how, often, it is the emotional labour of women that silently supports national icons.
Puja's transformation from a cricket-agnostic newlywed to a meticulous homemaker who understands sports nutrition, long-distance loneliness, and the rhythms of the Indian cricketing calendar is a journey of grit. Her adaptation to a house full of men and managing traditions while balancing modern expectations forms the book’s emotional undercurrent.
Stories about Cheteshwar’s early days in Rajkot, his father’s rigorous coaching, the family's limited means, and emotional support from renunciates and spiritual mentors offer rare depth. One moment that stands out is Rahul Dravid’s backstage gesture, asking the Saurashtra board to “take care of this boy”,a quiet validation that remained hidden for years.
In conclusion, it is a book about invisibility, the invisible bruises, the invisible sacrifices, the invisible scaffolding of familial love that holds up sporting excellence. It doesn’t romanticise cricket but rather demystifies it, not by deconstructing cover drives or strike rates but by laying bare the emotional cost behind the pursuit of greatness. Undoubtedly the book offers readers a seat at the kitchen table of one of India’s most understated cricket legends. It’s in the quiet mornings, the unspoken prayers, the slow healing after grief, and the stubborn hope that this book finds its voice, not as a cricketing chronicle, but as a portrait of endurance, love, and the long shadows cast by fame.
Most sports autobiographies read like polished resumes, structured, reverential, often sanitised. What sets the book apart is its deliberate disinterest in glorifying on-field milestones. Instead, it reconstructs the scaffolding that allows those milestones to exist: the emotionally taxing silences, the logistical juggling, the quiet heartbreaks, and the immense emotional labour undertaken by those in the wings.
In this book, she doesn't attempt to idolize her husband. She portrays him as a man of immense self-discipline, spiritual inclination, and emotional reticence. His pain after his mother’s untimely death, his bruised body in the Sydney and Brisbane Tests, his frustrations with selections, all are narrated with a dignified restraint that resonates deeply.
In a genre often dominated by male voices, her perspective brings a refreshing honesty. Her candid confessions of insecurity, moments of emotional distance, and even confusion about cricketing jargon in the early days make the story relatable. One is reminded how, often, it is the emotional labour of women that silently supports national icons.
Puja's transformation from a cricket-agnostic newlywed to a meticulous homemaker who understands sports nutrition, long-distance loneliness, and the rhythms of the Indian cricketing calendar is a journey of grit. Her adaptation to a house full of men and managing traditions while balancing modern expectations forms the book’s emotional undercurrent.
Stories about Cheteshwar’s early days in Rajkot, his father’s rigorous coaching, the family's limited means, and emotional support from renunciates and spiritual mentors offer rare depth. One moment that stands out is Rahul Dravid’s backstage gesture, asking the Saurashtra board to “take care of this boy”,a quiet validation that remained hidden for years.
In conclusion, it is a book about invisibility, the invisible bruises, the invisible sacrifices, the invisible scaffolding of familial love that holds up sporting excellence. It doesn’t romanticise cricket but rather demystifies it, not by deconstructing cover drives or strike rates but by laying bare the emotional cost behind the pursuit of greatness. Undoubtedly the book offers readers a seat at the kitchen table of one of India’s most understated cricket legends. It’s in the quiet mornings, the unspoken prayers, the slow healing after grief, and the stubborn hope that this book finds its voice, not as a cricketing chronicle, but as a portrait of endurance, love, and the long shadows cast by fame.
May 31, 2025
"This guy will reject me. He's a celeb. Why will he want to marry me. He won't be interested, and then they'll all stop bugging me."
I have read some good biographies of the cricketers (On Warne, Golden Boy: Kim Hughes and the Bad Old Days of Australian Cricket, Rahul Dravid: Timeless Steel to name a few) but mostly they are written by sports journalists. However, I have never read a biography written by a family member of a cricketer.
I was 100% sure that Cheteshwar Pujara would never write his autobiography. Hence, I was mightily pleased when there was a announcement that his wife is releasing a book. I had pre-ordered it and I am not regretting that decision now. This book is not only about Cheteshwar's struggles and dedication but his wife's thought process and what she had adapted herself when she was so disconnected from the cricketing world that she hadn't heard about Pujara before they met. She shares her apprehensions before the marriage very candidly. Moreover, she enlightens us with the sacrifice of Cheteshwar's father, his mother's death, his spirituality and his obsession regarding the discipline regarding the sleep and the cricket practice.
Cheteshwar Pujara is one of my favorite cricketers of all time. Just when the modern day batter is all bulky, loves to score quick, wants to dominate the bowlers, off-field - they sport the tattoos, wants millions of Instagram followers and lives life king size. Pujara is an animal of different breed altogether. Off the field, he is an introvert, vegetarian and has no tattoos. Just like Rahul Dravid, he loves to put a hefty price on his wicket, tires out bowlers and then encashes big daddy hundreds even in the age of Pace Bowling Pandemic or the Wobble Ball Era. He is the only batsman to average above 45 apart from just Virat Kohli in Tests in the current generation. Unfortunately, he was also sidelined for the limited overs cricket because of his busted knees and perceived slow scoring. I can feel the pain of Pujara not able to play enough ODIs, T20Is and IPL matches through this book.
Sometimes, the book becomes a bit verbose and inconsistent due to translation of some Hindi words but it's okay. Overall, a different experience for me.
I have read some good biographies of the cricketers (On Warne, Golden Boy: Kim Hughes and the Bad Old Days of Australian Cricket, Rahul Dravid: Timeless Steel to name a few) but mostly they are written by sports journalists. However, I have never read a biography written by a family member of a cricketer.
I was 100% sure that Cheteshwar Pujara would never write his autobiography. Hence, I was mightily pleased when there was a announcement that his wife is releasing a book. I had pre-ordered it and I am not regretting that decision now. This book is not only about Cheteshwar's struggles and dedication but his wife's thought process and what she had adapted herself when she was so disconnected from the cricketing world that she hadn't heard about Pujara before they met. She shares her apprehensions before the marriage very candidly. Moreover, she enlightens us with the sacrifice of Cheteshwar's father, his mother's death, his spirituality and his obsession regarding the discipline regarding the sleep and the cricket practice.
Cheteshwar Pujara is one of my favorite cricketers of all time. Just when the modern day batter is all bulky, loves to score quick, wants to dominate the bowlers, off-field - they sport the tattoos, wants millions of Instagram followers and lives life king size. Pujara is an animal of different breed altogether. Off the field, he is an introvert, vegetarian and has no tattoos. Just like Rahul Dravid, he loves to put a hefty price on his wicket, tires out bowlers and then encashes big daddy hundreds even in the age of Pace Bowling Pandemic or the Wobble Ball Era. He is the only batsman to average above 45 apart from just Virat Kohli in Tests in the current generation. Unfortunately, he was also sidelined for the limited overs cricket because of his busted knees and perceived slow scoring. I can feel the pain of Pujara not able to play enough ODIs, T20Is and IPL matches through this book.
Sometimes, the book becomes a bit verbose and inconsistent due to translation of some Hindi words but it's okay. Overall, a different experience for me.
December 2, 2025
Cheteshwar Pujara has been that unsung hero for Indian cricket predominantly in red ball cricket who has not only won many matches for India with his exemplary run scoring ability but also saved some of the memorable test matches with his unmatchable determination. In a world where six hitters are applauded for their heroics in the shortest format of the game, this blue eyed cricketer from Saurashtra inked his name in the history books by taking test match batting to a different level altogether. Surprisingly his omission from the team or retirement didn't create that buzz among fans which could be seen in the case of Virat or Rohit. Pujara's memoir named The Diary Of A Cricketer's Wife gives that impression that not all stories need to be loud to be heard or noticed. Let's now dive deep into this extremely courageous journey.
Title of the book is kind of an indicator that it's a cricketing journey seen from a wife's eyes. Towards the end of the book it was revealed that it was Cheteshwar's suggestion to his wife to convert her journals to a memoir through which his journey can be shared with the world. Once you read this book you will realize how beautifully a cricketing story has been shared.
Another interesting fact as per the admission of the author herself is she has never been a cricket enthusiast before her marriage. But as the narration progresses her growth in understanding the nitty- gritties of cricket and related terminologies is clearly visible through her writing.
This is a memoir different from its contemporaries in many aspects. A different style of storytelling can be visible in the narration where incidents occur one after another but seems like multiple plots are running simultaneously. The narration starts with how the marriage talks of Cheteshwar & Puja started and eventually turned into a lifelong off the field partnership. Further chapters subsequently cover his journey as a cricketer including all the ups & downs, heartbreaks, disappointments, criticisms, pain of loosing a parent and all the hard earned success.
Read my full review here... https://dipakmohanty.blogspot.com/202...
Title of the book is kind of an indicator that it's a cricketing journey seen from a wife's eyes. Towards the end of the book it was revealed that it was Cheteshwar's suggestion to his wife to convert her journals to a memoir through which his journey can be shared with the world. Once you read this book you will realize how beautifully a cricketing story has been shared.
Another interesting fact as per the admission of the author herself is she has never been a cricket enthusiast before her marriage. But as the narration progresses her growth in understanding the nitty- gritties of cricket and related terminologies is clearly visible through her writing.
This is a memoir different from its contemporaries in many aspects. A different style of storytelling can be visible in the narration where incidents occur one after another but seems like multiple plots are running simultaneously. The narration starts with how the marriage talks of Cheteshwar & Puja started and eventually turned into a lifelong off the field partnership. Further chapters subsequently cover his journey as a cricketer including all the ups & downs, heartbreaks, disappointments, criticisms, pain of loosing a parent and all the hard earned success.
Read my full review here... https://dipakmohanty.blogspot.com/202...
May 26, 2025
There was always this thought in my head that what happens in the lives of the family members of Cricketers. With all the travels, highs and lows, how do the better halves, siblings, parents cope with such situation.
This book gives a detailed glimpse into exactly that. Not only through this book do we get to know about Cheteshwar Pujara but also how the family revolves around him and his cricket. A wonderful book indeed with very lucid writing. There are, however, some words in almost every page of the first half of the book that one may have to look up but otherwise it is a very well written memoir.
What I particularly liked about the book was that it is not completely about the cricketer. It is about others that made him the cricketer and the important ones who were there through thick and thin. Because what we see on the screen is just one person but to learn about the sacrifices that go into making these cricketers, the mindset how it is developed, this book gives a wonderful description of the same.
The editing however could be better. There are several editorial errors in the final copy. This book is certainly written keeping only Indian audience in mind. At several places, the literal hindi translations have not been provided. The author (and the co-author) have just assumed the reader will know. for example, in one place, "dabbas of mithai" has not been translated in English while in the next line "pravanchans (sermons) have been translated. Similarly there is an English description of Pag Phera but in the next line arti has not been described. There are several instances like these throughout the book.
If you pick the book up for good English and thinking it is a global book, you might be disappointed. But if you pick the book up for the love of the game, the cricketer and what happens around making such a fine cricketer, you will love the book.
This book gives a detailed glimpse into exactly that. Not only through this book do we get to know about Cheteshwar Pujara but also how the family revolves around him and his cricket. A wonderful book indeed with very lucid writing. There are, however, some words in almost every page of the first half of the book that one may have to look up but otherwise it is a very well written memoir.
What I particularly liked about the book was that it is not completely about the cricketer. It is about others that made him the cricketer and the important ones who were there through thick and thin. Because what we see on the screen is just one person but to learn about the sacrifices that go into making these cricketers, the mindset how it is developed, this book gives a wonderful description of the same.
The editing however could be better. There are several editorial errors in the final copy. This book is certainly written keeping only Indian audience in mind. At several places, the literal hindi translations have not been provided. The author (and the co-author) have just assumed the reader will know. for example, in one place, "dabbas of mithai" has not been translated in English while in the next line "pravanchans (sermons) have been translated. Similarly there is an English description of Pag Phera but in the next line arti has not been described. There are several instances like these throughout the book.
If you pick the book up for good English and thinking it is a global book, you might be disappointed. But if you pick the book up for the love of the game, the cricketer and what happens around making such a fine cricketer, you will love the book.
August 7, 2025
𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖 : 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐀 𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐑'𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐅𝐄
𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑 : 𝐏𝐔𝐉𝐀 𝐏𝐔𝐉𝐀𝐑𝐀 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐀 𝐊𝐀𝐋𝐀
𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄: 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐈𝐑, 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐒, 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄
• If you talk about not only a sport but about the life of a sport, then it must be about cricket. But while winning the spotlight of a renouned player, this book touches the distant life of disciplined life of Cheteshwar Pujara. He is a model of love, sacrifice, identity here. From watching him on the screen to reading his memoir, this book feels too personal.
• Introducing him in the world of cricket, Puja Pujara gives a tribute to the unseen world of Cheteshwar Pujara - here the emotions are high but not unimaginative. Not only Cheteshwar Pujara but his wife is also the main topic of this book - she is iconic, you know why? From barely knowing the rules of the game of cricket to being the wife of a renowned cricketer's wife - she got into a surprising journey of building her own career gracefully.
• From adjusting her life among constant travel, missed moments, tight routine and responsibility, Puja Pujara becomes a support system of her husband. This is tough! To create her identity in spite of having a successful husband right beside you. It's not always about you but most of the time it's you.
• The life, joy and solitude that this book explored felt real and authentic. Most importantly it is about discipline. The emotional rollercoaster comeback of husband wife has that grip to confront you all strength to that part. Puja Pujara has portray that honesty that we see on the field - it's not ordinary for us, but they're making that ordinary essence special for their readers. From media tour to parenting struggle we all have Cheteshwar Pujara and Puja Pujara with us, here.
𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑 : 𝐏𝐔𝐉𝐀 𝐏𝐔𝐉𝐀𝐑𝐀 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐀 𝐊𝐀𝐋𝐀
𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄: 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐈𝐑, 𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐒, 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄
• If you talk about not only a sport but about the life of a sport, then it must be about cricket. But while winning the spotlight of a renouned player, this book touches the distant life of disciplined life of Cheteshwar Pujara. He is a model of love, sacrifice, identity here. From watching him on the screen to reading his memoir, this book feels too personal.
• Introducing him in the world of cricket, Puja Pujara gives a tribute to the unseen world of Cheteshwar Pujara - here the emotions are high but not unimaginative. Not only Cheteshwar Pujara but his wife is also the main topic of this book - she is iconic, you know why? From barely knowing the rules of the game of cricket to being the wife of a renowned cricketer's wife - she got into a surprising journey of building her own career gracefully.
• From adjusting her life among constant travel, missed moments, tight routine and responsibility, Puja Pujara becomes a support system of her husband. This is tough! To create her identity in spite of having a successful husband right beside you. It's not always about you but most of the time it's you.
• The life, joy and solitude that this book explored felt real and authentic. Most importantly it is about discipline. The emotional rollercoaster comeback of husband wife has that grip to confront you all strength to that part. Puja Pujara has portray that honesty that we see on the field - it's not ordinary for us, but they're making that ordinary essence special for their readers. From media tour to parenting struggle we all have Cheteshwar Pujara and Puja Pujara with us, here.
July 12, 2025
💭 A story of love, learning, and quiet resilience.
What happens when you're suddenly married into a world you’ve never understood? That’s exactly what Puja Pabari faced when she married Cheteshwar Pujara—a man she didn’t know was one of India’s top test cricketers.
I picked up this book expecting it to be about cricket. But what I found was something more raw, more human. It’s about love—quiet and steady. It’s about growth—the kind that comes from stepping into a life so different from your own and still choosing to stay, to understand, and to embrace it wholeheartedly.
Puja’s voice is honest and endearing. She speaks not like a cricketer’s wife trying to impress, but like a woman who slowly found strength in her role, while fiercely protecting her identity and navigating the madness of fame, travel, and cricket with grace.
What touched me the most was how she spoke of the everyday—the anxiety during Cheteshwar's injuries, the joy in small victories, and the loneliness in hotel rooms while he was away on tours. Her journey from not knowing how the game works to planning a cricketer’s diet is as much a personal transformation as it is a peek behind the scenes of Indian cricket.
And through it all, you get to know Cheteshwar Pujara—not just the cricketer with an unshakeable defence, but the son, the husband, the man who quietly chased greatness with discipline and calm.
This isn't just a cricket book. It’s about partnership, patience, and perseverance. It's about how love doesn't always roar—it often stands silently in the background, cheering.
✨ If you’ve ever stood behind someone’s dream, this book will feel like a warm mirror.
What happens when you're suddenly married into a world you’ve never understood? That’s exactly what Puja Pabari faced when she married Cheteshwar Pujara—a man she didn’t know was one of India’s top test cricketers.
I picked up this book expecting it to be about cricket. But what I found was something more raw, more human. It’s about love—quiet and steady. It’s about growth—the kind that comes from stepping into a life so different from your own and still choosing to stay, to understand, and to embrace it wholeheartedly.
Puja’s voice is honest and endearing. She speaks not like a cricketer’s wife trying to impress, but like a woman who slowly found strength in her role, while fiercely protecting her identity and navigating the madness of fame, travel, and cricket with grace.
What touched me the most was how she spoke of the everyday—the anxiety during Cheteshwar's injuries, the joy in small victories, and the loneliness in hotel rooms while he was away on tours. Her journey from not knowing how the game works to planning a cricketer’s diet is as much a personal transformation as it is a peek behind the scenes of Indian cricket.
And through it all, you get to know Cheteshwar Pujara—not just the cricketer with an unshakeable defence, but the son, the husband, the man who quietly chased greatness with discipline and calm.
This isn't just a cricket book. It’s about partnership, patience, and perseverance. It's about how love doesn't always roar—it often stands silently in the background, cheering.
✨ If you’ve ever stood behind someone’s dream, this book will feel like a warm mirror.
June 1, 2025
I feel as if I have won a huge victory today. I felt such immense peace tonight. U suddenly realized how lucky I am. I have found just the kind of partner that I have been looking for.
The Diary of a Cricketer's Wife by PUJA PUJARA WITH NAMITA KALA.
It’s memoir of Puja Pujara, the wife of Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujar. She penned down her journey from being middle class working professional to being a wife of celebrity. She described pressure, expectations, struggles, vulnerability being cricketer’s wife.
Why I like this book:-
Along with Puja’s own struggle & sacrifices & emotions she shared Cheteshwar’s early life too. About his mom & his relationship with her, about her aunt, about his spiritual side.
This book doesn't just tell Cheteshwar's story - it captures the unseen sacrifices and mental toughness required to succeed at the highest level.
It captures the unseen sacrifices and mental toughness required to succeed at the highest level.
As a viewer we mostly see glamorous life of cricketers & their spouse but that’s not right. Behind that so much sacrifices, struggle evolve. And each international trip doesn’t mean fun & party. That very well shown true side of celebrities life.
Being a Rajkotian and devotee of Haricharandas Bapu I really enjoyed reading this book.
Sometimes I felt book is little slow. Author gave too much information.
If you love to read memoir or love cricket definitely this book is for you.
The Diary of a Cricketer's Wife by PUJA PUJARA WITH NAMITA KALA.
It’s memoir of Puja Pujara, the wife of Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujar. She penned down her journey from being middle class working professional to being a wife of celebrity. She described pressure, expectations, struggles, vulnerability being cricketer’s wife.
Why I like this book:-
Along with Puja’s own struggle & sacrifices & emotions she shared Cheteshwar’s early life too. About his mom & his relationship with her, about her aunt, about his spiritual side.
This book doesn't just tell Cheteshwar's story - it captures the unseen sacrifices and mental toughness required to succeed at the highest level.
It captures the unseen sacrifices and mental toughness required to succeed at the highest level.
As a viewer we mostly see glamorous life of cricketers & their spouse but that’s not right. Behind that so much sacrifices, struggle evolve. And each international trip doesn’t mean fun & party. That very well shown true side of celebrities life.
Being a Rajkotian and devotee of Haricharandas Bapu I really enjoyed reading this book.
Sometimes I felt book is little slow. Author gave too much information.
If you love to read memoir or love cricket definitely this book is for you.
July 9, 2025
🅱🅾🅾🅺 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒊𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝑪𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝑾𝒊𝒇𝒆: 𝑨 𝑽𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑼𝒏𝒖𝒔𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝑴𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒊𝒓
ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ: Puja Poojara
ꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛ: Paperback
ᴘᴀɢᴇꜱ/ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀꜱ: 328 pages
ᴘᴜʙʟɪꜱʜᴇʀ: HarperCollins
ɢᴇɴʀᴇ: Memoir
In India, where we worship the game of cricket, every aspect of it has been glamorized to a certain degree.
From the fan following to endorsements and accolades, we are fascinated by everything associated with cricketers. But how often do we think about their counterparts—their families, spouses, and inner circles?
As the saying goes, every coin has two sides, and the same is true for cricketers' families.
This book, written by the famous cricketer's wife Puja Pujara, reveals the other side of the coin. In a world dominated by social media, where everything is sensationalized and romanticized, the truth can sometimes be quite different. It explores what it feels like to be the spouse of a cricketer—dealing with expectations, long distances, and sometimes even online trolls.
Written from the perspective of a cricketer's wife, this book shares insightful details about their lives. It provides a unique perspective on what it takes to be a cricketer's partner, highlighting the pressures of managing expectations on both personal and professional fronts, as well as the struggles, vulnerabilities, and triumphs of being closely associated with the game in a cricket-crazy nation.
- #readwithbindu
- #reviewwithbindu
#bookwormbindu
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑫𝒊𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝑪𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓'𝒔 𝑾𝒊𝒇𝒆: 𝑨 𝑽𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝑼𝒏𝒖𝒔𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝑴𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒊𝒓
ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ: Puja Poojara
ꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛ: Paperback
ᴘᴀɢᴇꜱ/ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀꜱ: 328 pages
ᴘᴜʙʟɪꜱʜᴇʀ: HarperCollins
ɢᴇɴʀᴇ: Memoir
In India, where we worship the game of cricket, every aspect of it has been glamorized to a certain degree.
From the fan following to endorsements and accolades, we are fascinated by everything associated with cricketers. But how often do we think about their counterparts—their families, spouses, and inner circles?
As the saying goes, every coin has two sides, and the same is true for cricketers' families.
This book, written by the famous cricketer's wife Puja Pujara, reveals the other side of the coin. In a world dominated by social media, where everything is sensationalized and romanticized, the truth can sometimes be quite different. It explores what it feels like to be the spouse of a cricketer—dealing with expectations, long distances, and sometimes even online trolls.
Written from the perspective of a cricketer's wife, this book shares insightful details about their lives. It provides a unique perspective on what it takes to be a cricketer's partner, highlighting the pressures of managing expectations on both personal and professional fronts, as well as the struggles, vulnerabilities, and triumphs of being closely associated with the game in a cricket-crazy nation.
- #readwithbindu
- #reviewwithbindu
#bookwormbindu
August 5, 2025
Diary of A cricketer's wife, is a reality of How and what does it means to be A spouse to A man representing Nation with his superpowers.
This is like A life shared in moments and memories through a writer's pen.
Cricket is loved like chai and pakora in India, well this is How I imagined it is. It is Passion and dedication for Cricket.
I find Puja a very bold girl who is made up of her
Choices and marrying a man was a big deal ever. Arranged by family but built with love, is the story of belonging that united Puja and Cheteshwar .
I don't think anybody other than Puja could have described everything so beautifully since beginning of narration to the end page.
She scribbled every inch of her life with Cheteshwar, the beginning of relationship, struggles, her entire life then.
I never admired and loved a memoir this way,
Loved knowing her and amazing man of her life through this pretty book.
Cheteshwar made history not just once but times and again and Cricket hold his name as a winner.
Recommending this book to all Cricket fans, you may absolutely love to learn and recognise better a cricketer's life through puja's eye i.e, this book.
Absolutely A Good Read!
Happy reading guys!
This is like A life shared in moments and memories through a writer's pen.
Cricket is loved like chai and pakora in India, well this is How I imagined it is. It is Passion and dedication for Cricket.
I find Puja a very bold girl who is made up of her
Choices and marrying a man was a big deal ever. Arranged by family but built with love, is the story of belonging that united Puja and Cheteshwar .
I don't think anybody other than Puja could have described everything so beautifully since beginning of narration to the end page.
She scribbled every inch of her life with Cheteshwar, the beginning of relationship, struggles, her entire life then.
I never admired and loved a memoir this way,
Loved knowing her and amazing man of her life through this pretty book.
Cheteshwar made history not just once but times and again and Cricket hold his name as a winner.
Recommending this book to all Cricket fans, you may absolutely love to learn and recognise better a cricketer's life through puja's eye i.e, this book.
Absolutely A Good Read!
Happy reading guys!
May 24, 2025
This heartfelt memoir truly captures the essence of understanding, sportsmanship and resilience. Before reading this book, I knew very little about Cheteshwar Pujara. But now, I can’t help but admire him—not just as a cricketer, but as a person. He truly deserves to be called a legend.
Written by Puja Pabari, Pujara’s wife, this book offers a rare and intimate glimpse into their lives. It beautifully chronicles their journey—from her initial indifference to cricket to becoming a strong pillar of support in Pujara’s demanding career. I was particularly moved by the way she navigated her role in a cricket-crazy household, balancing personal and professional expectations with such grace.
What makes this memoir stand out is the honesty and simplicity with which Puja shares her experiences. The clarity, emotional depth, and vivid storytelling make you feel as though you’re walking alongside the couple through their highs and lows.
I loved the way the author penned everything down with such sincerity. This book isn’t just about cricket—it’s about love, partnership, sacrifice, and unwavering determination. A truly inspiring read.
Written by Puja Pabari, Pujara’s wife, this book offers a rare and intimate glimpse into their lives. It beautifully chronicles their journey—from her initial indifference to cricket to becoming a strong pillar of support in Pujara’s demanding career. I was particularly moved by the way she navigated her role in a cricket-crazy household, balancing personal and professional expectations with such grace.
What makes this memoir stand out is the honesty and simplicity with which Puja shares her experiences. The clarity, emotional depth, and vivid storytelling make you feel as though you’re walking alongside the couple through their highs and lows.
I loved the way the author penned everything down with such sincerity. This book isn’t just about cricket—it’s about love, partnership, sacrifice, and unwavering determination. A truly inspiring read.
June 30, 2025
The Diary of a Cricketer's Wife by Puja Pujara offers an intimate and heartfelt look into the life of a cricketer's partner. The narrative begins with Puja's arranged marriage to Test Cricket star Cheteshwar Pujara, revealing her initial unfamiliarity with the world of cricket. However, as time progresses, she evolves into a steadfast pillar of support for her husband's burgeoning career.
Puja's writing delves deep into the emotional challenges she faces, the professional demands placed on her husband, and the unwavering discipline that defines his routine. Through her candid reflections, readers gain insights into the sacrifices and adjustments that come with being married to a professional athlete.
The way Puja portrays her journey, alongside the struggles and triumphs they experience together, feels akin to engaging in a warm and sincere conversation with a close friend. Importantly, she doesn't idealize her husband; instead, she provides a genuine glimpse into their day-to-day life, showcasing both the challenges and the joys of their relationship.
Overall, I found the book to be a compelling and relatable read, captivating in its honesty and depth.
Puja's writing delves deep into the emotional challenges she faces, the professional demands placed on her husband, and the unwavering discipline that defines his routine. Through her candid reflections, readers gain insights into the sacrifices and adjustments that come with being married to a professional athlete.
The way Puja portrays her journey, alongside the struggles and triumphs they experience together, feels akin to engaging in a warm and sincere conversation with a close friend. Importantly, she doesn't idealize her husband; instead, she provides a genuine glimpse into their day-to-day life, showcasing both the challenges and the joys of their relationship.
Overall, I found the book to be a compelling and relatable read, captivating in its honesty and depth.
July 2, 2025
The Diary of a Cricketer's Wife is the candid account of Puja Pujara of her life following her marriage to Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara. She didn't even watch cricket previously, but now she was a part of all this, with matches, journeys, and fame everywhere around her.
I really enjoyed this book. Honestly, it was as if Puja was sharing with me over a cup of chai everything – her uncertainty prior to marriage, hanging in there awkwardly at cricket matches because she didn't get the game, and how gradually she found her niche. I liked the way she talked about Cheteshwar's unobtrusive and controlled personality, his battles with injuries, and how he remained calm even after being dropped from the team. It made me appreciate him so much more. Puja also spoke about being lonely, learning to adapt to a new life, and how she was his rock. It made me realize that even when life seems glamorous on the outside, it involves so many sacrifices and unspoken struggles.
If you're looking to read something true, emotional, and heartwarming, this book is your best bet. It's not about cricket alone – it's about love, resilience, and self-discovery.
I really enjoyed this book. Honestly, it was as if Puja was sharing with me over a cup of chai everything – her uncertainty prior to marriage, hanging in there awkwardly at cricket matches because she didn't get the game, and how gradually she found her niche. I liked the way she talked about Cheteshwar's unobtrusive and controlled personality, his battles with injuries, and how he remained calm even after being dropped from the team. It made me appreciate him so much more. Puja also spoke about being lonely, learning to adapt to a new life, and how she was his rock. It made me realize that even when life seems glamorous on the outside, it involves so many sacrifices and unspoken struggles.
If you're looking to read something true, emotional, and heartwarming, this book is your best bet. It's not about cricket alone – it's about love, resilience, and self-discovery.
July 4, 2025
This book is written by the wife of Cheteshwar Pujara who is apparently a big name in the cricket world. My knowledge and interest in cricket is zero so I knew nothing about him prior to reading this book.
This book starts from the moment Puja’s Fufaji brings a rishta for her from a celebrity cricketer. It was funny to see how disinterested Puja was initially. Then we get to see how her life changed after marrying him.
I liked her narration as it was quite quirky. She tells about how her life becomes after marrying a famous cricketer, and all the perks and challenges that comes with it. It was all so fascinating!
This book felt personal and candid, and overall I enjoyed it. My little gripe with this book is the writing. I don’t know how to describe it properly but it felt odd at times, because most of it is written is simple, accessible English but there were some really hard words dropped in between. So I personally felt the writing was somewhat mismatched.
But other than that, this was a refreshing biography. I would definitely recommend it.
This book starts from the moment Puja’s Fufaji brings a rishta for her from a celebrity cricketer. It was funny to see how disinterested Puja was initially. Then we get to see how her life changed after marrying him.
I liked her narration as it was quite quirky. She tells about how her life becomes after marrying a famous cricketer, and all the perks and challenges that comes with it. It was all so fascinating!
This book felt personal and candid, and overall I enjoyed it. My little gripe with this book is the writing. I don’t know how to describe it properly but it felt odd at times, because most of it is written is simple, accessible English but there were some really hard words dropped in between. So I personally felt the writing was somewhat mismatched.
But other than that, this was a refreshing biography. I would definitely recommend it.
May 13, 2025
"This guy will reject me. He's a celeb. Why will he want to marry me. He won't be interested, and then they'll all stop bugging me."
This is the memoir of the Pujara family penned down by Puja, the wife of Cheteshwar Pujara. She expresses her journey from not knowing anything about cricket to becoming the wife of a celebrity.
I loved reading the book. It was very beautiful, and the whole rollercoaster journey was indeed magical. My favorite part of the book was when Puja noted the struggles of being the wife of a star. To me, it indeed felt tough because one had to maintain their image in front of the public.
Even when it came to Cheteshwar's life, I really couldn't stop admiring his journey from childhood. One thing I learned from the book is that we should never discourage any kid from doing what they love, and we should extend our full support.
I love reading memoirs, and this did not disappoint me for sure. I'm also glad to be one of the early readers of the book.
This is the memoir of the Pujara family penned down by Puja, the wife of Cheteshwar Pujara. She expresses her journey from not knowing anything about cricket to becoming the wife of a celebrity.
I loved reading the book. It was very beautiful, and the whole rollercoaster journey was indeed magical. My favorite part of the book was when Puja noted the struggles of being the wife of a star. To me, it indeed felt tough because one had to maintain their image in front of the public.
Even when it came to Cheteshwar's life, I really couldn't stop admiring his journey from childhood. One thing I learned from the book is that we should never discourage any kid from doing what they love, and we should extend our full support.
I love reading memoirs, and this did not disappoint me for sure. I'm also glad to be one of the early readers of the book.
November 26, 2025
- an easy read
- doesn't bore you
- didn’t really stay with me for long (i read this 5 months ago)
- will not actively recommend it but it was a fun read anyway
- the amount of "my husband this" "my husband that" rendered with an 'act of love', lowkey bothered me because Puja's whole life seems to be revolving around accommodating her husband's needs over her own needs. But then again, I suppose that is what happens when you are also his manager (perhaps that is my personal preference- having someone who puts in equal efforts into the marriage and being a parent and that rubbed off in my reading experience- to each their own i guess)
3/5
- doesn't bore you
- didn’t really stay with me for long (i read this 5 months ago)
- will not actively recommend it but it was a fun read anyway
- the amount of "my husband this" "my husband that" rendered with an 'act of love', lowkey bothered me because Puja's whole life seems to be revolving around accommodating her husband's needs over her own needs. But then again, I suppose that is what happens when you are also his manager (perhaps that is my personal preference- having someone who puts in equal efforts into the marriage and being a parent and that rubbed off in my reading experience- to each their own i guess)
3/5
May 24, 2025
the author has narrated the story of pujara, as usual it's the journey of hardship to be a cricketer. smooth flowing simple write-up.
August 16, 2025
A gripping behind-the-scenes account of a top cricketer’s journey. I enjoyed the book for its honesty and sensitivity.
July 3, 2025
THE DIARY OF A CRICKETERS WIFE - PUJA PUJARA
The diary of a cricketers wife as the name suggests is an unusual memoir as it brings a unique perspective on what it takes to be a cricketers wife the behind the scenes, apart from professional struggles how personal struggles, vulnerabilities, triumphs of a soft spoken reticent Indian cricketer.
The book is divided into 4 parts each highlighting a specific time in Cheteshwar's life and follows a very easy yet engaging narration. It's not too heavy on cricket content and showcases the human side of the sport with some big revelations of Cheteshwar's life.
I had the privilege of attending the book launch too and the conversation and discussions which were held were highly engaging making it a memorable evening.
Definitely recommend if you are looking for a memoir which is an easy read for even non cricket fans.
The diary of a cricketers wife as the name suggests is an unusual memoir as it brings a unique perspective on what it takes to be a cricketers wife the behind the scenes, apart from professional struggles how personal struggles, vulnerabilities, triumphs of a soft spoken reticent Indian cricketer.
The book is divided into 4 parts each highlighting a specific time in Cheteshwar's life and follows a very easy yet engaging narration. It's not too heavy on cricket content and showcases the human side of the sport with some big revelations of Cheteshwar's life.
I had the privilege of attending the book launch too and the conversation and discussions which were held were highly engaging making it a memorable evening.
Definitely recommend if you are looking for a memoir which is an easy read for even non cricket fans.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews