India Test great Cheteshwar Pujara recalled how Shikhar Dhawan often avoided fielding at short leg during a Test match. During Day 2 of the second Test between India and South Africa, Pujara revealed that Dhawan often complained about his bad back as the reason for not being able to crouch at the close-in position.The revelation from the former number three came as stand-in captain Rishabh Pant was trying to instruct Yashasvi Jaiswal how to position himself while fielding at short leg. Pant was urging the opening batter to keep his hands in front, too, instead of just the feet.In a video uploaded on Star Sports, Pujara felt that Jaiswal didn't want to field at short leg like many other batters. Recalling Dhawan's case, he said the southpaw used to make it look like he couldn't catch the ball at all. He jokingly suggested:"Short leg is a fielding position that no batter wants to stand at. What Yashasvi is trying to do is wanting to move from there, to keep standing there to make it seem that he is not a good fielder. There is one more player, when I used to play with him, he used to field at that sport. The captain used to feel he can't catch, so let's move him from here."When Shikhar Dhawan used to field at short leg, he used to say my back feels tight and I can't crouch. He used to bat well and dive on the outfield. But he can't crouch while fielding at short leg."Dhawan retired from International cricket in August 2024 after playing in 167 ODIs, 34 Tests, and 68 T20Is.Cheteshwar Pujara retired from all forms of Indian cricket in August 2025Cheteshwar Pujara batting in England. (Credits: Getty)Meanwhile, Pujara retired from all forms of Indian cricket in August 2025. He played the most for India in Tests, featuring in 103 of them from 2010 to 2023. The Saurashtra batter scored 7195 runs at 43.60 with 19 tons.Pujara was instrumental in India's twin series victories over Australia Down Under, starring with the bat on both occasions.