So, just how do you get the nickname Steve if you are Cheteshwar Pujara?
Currently one of Test cricket’s most prolific batsmen, the 30-year-old Indian is returning to Emerald Headingley for a second spell this summer, and you can bet your bottom dollar he will seldom be referred to by his Christian name.
When the signing was announced last week to dovetail with the capture of New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, social media was awash with messages such as ‘Welcome back Steve’ or ‘Great signing #Steve’.
When the nickname was revealed during his brief spell early on 2015, it was no real surprise to hear that Jack Brooks was at the centre of things.
“Everyone keeps banging on about it,” smiled Brooks.
“I think he’s even answered it in a press conference after a Test series as well!
“It was initially me. For a long time I’ve called everyone Steve or Dave anyway. It’s going back 10 years or so, and it’s just for a laugh. So when Puj arrived, I just had a bit of banter with him and called him Steve.
“He didn’t really talk much at the time. I don’t know whether it was because he didn’t talk much English, but he was quite quiet.
“He didn’t react to it at first, but by the end of his first game at Worcester he was responding, had a bit of a laugh and quite enjoyed it.”
