In her recently released book The Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife, Puja Pujara shared an emotional and lesser-known story about how actor and Kolkata Knight Riders co-owner Shah Rukh Khan helped her husband, Cheteshwar Pujara, during a crucial phase of his early career. She recounted that a single moment of misfortune nearly derailed his cricketing journey. “Destiny impelled him to dash heedlessly to a ball for a catch that was never there,” she wrote.
That one attempt left Pujara with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)—a serious injury that required surgery and months of rehabilitation. Tragically, it happened before he could even make his debut for KKR, momentarily halting what had looked like a promising IPL chapter for the young batsman.
A Superstar’s Unexpected Support
While Pujara and his family were coping with the shock of the injury, Shah Rukh Khan stepped in, showing a side of himself few get to witness publicly.
According to Puja’s book, Pujara’s father recalled a heartfelt conversation with SRK. “Shah Rukh Khan also told me that Chintu had a great future ahead of him and should have the best available medical treatment,” he said. SRK noticed the family’s concern about having the surgery in South Africa, away from familiar medical support. He immediately offered help that went beyond financial or contractual obligation, saying, “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.”
This act of generosity wasn’t a token gesture—it was a lifeline. SRK’s assurance gave the family comfort and confidence to proceed with the surgery under trusted supervision. His empathy bridged the gap between a cricket team owner and a worried family, showing genuine care for Pujara’s well-being rather than just his role as a player.
A Gesture That Changed a Career’s Course
That moment of kindness had a lasting impact. With proper treatment and emotional support, Pujara made a full recovery and went on to become one of India’s most dependable Test batsmen. Puja Pujara’s revelation highlights how one person’s compassion can change the course of another’s career.
Shah Rukh Khan’s gesture exemplified leadership with heart—proving that even in the high-pressure world of professional sport, humanity still matters. What could have been the end of Pujara’s journey turned into the beginning of a remarkable comeback story, strengthened by kindness, faith, and resilience.
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