NEW DELHI: (Aug 31) Cheteshwar Pujara’s dogged style of play was a reminder of Test cricket’s beauty, wrote Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a glowing tribute to India’s batting mainstay who recently retired from all forms of cricket.

Pujara had announced his retirement last Sunday, ending a remarkable 103-Test career.

“In an age dominated by shorter formats of cricket, you were a reminder of the beauty of the longer format of the game. Your unflappable temperament and ability to bat long hours with great concentration made you the fulcrum of the Indian batting line-up,” wrote Modi in a letter to Pujara.