Solidity at the crease and a way of dignity remained Cheteshwar Pujara’s particular attributes. As the Indian batter introduced his retirement from cricket on Sunday, an period has ended. Pujara was all about classical batsmanship marinated in Test whites.
In an age of glitz, mighty sixes and hyperbole, Pujara was an exception. The old-fashioned batter was keen to grind out assaults, took blows on his physique, and sometimes laid the basis for his extra effervescent team-mates like Virat Kohli to prosper.
It is a thread that hyperlinks him to Rahul Dravid. Both males largely did responsibility at quantity three in Tests, they stemmed the preliminary crack when an opener departed, and sometimes they have been a defend to the subsequent man stepping in. In each instances, the quantity 4 batter was a celebrity, be it Sachin Tendulkar or Kohli.
One of the foremost Test specialists in the twenty first century Cheteshwar Pujara retires
Former Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara introduced his retirement from all types of cricket on August 24, 2025.
“Wearing the Indian jersey, singing the anthem, and trying my best each time I stepped on the field – it’s impossible to put into words what it truly meant. But as they say, all good things must come to an end, and with immense gratitude I have decided to retire from all forms of Indian cricket,” mentioned Pujara in a heartfelt word.
Pujara has performed 103 Tests scoring 7,195 runs with 206 not out being his highest rating. He has scored 19 centuries together with 35 half-centuries.
In firstclass cricket, he has performed 278 matches scoring 21,301 runs with 352 being his highest. His common in first-class cricket is 51.82. He has scored 66 centuries and 81 half-centuries.
Son and pupil of former Ranji participant Arvind, Pujara grew up piling on huge scores at the same time as a boy: a triple-century in Under-14 cricket, and a double towards England in Under-19.
In a heartfelt word, Cheteshwar Pujara mentioned “As a little boy from the small town of Rajkot, along with my parents, I set out to aim for the stars; and dreamt to be a part of the Indian cricket team. Little did I know then that this game would give me so much — invaluable opportunities, experiences, purpose, love, and above all a chance to represent my state and this great nation.”
Cheteshwar Pujara additionally has performed 71 T20 matches scoring 1,556 runs with 100 being his finest.
In his temporary white-ball profession, Pujara performed 5 one-day internationals throughout 2013-14, however cemented his place in the check aspect whereas principally batting at No. 3 after Rahul Dravid give up worldwide cricket. Pujara, a technically proficient right-handed batter, made his check debut towards Australia at Bengaluru in 2010 and was a part of many memorable victories towards the identical opposition in red-ball cricket.
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The crowd’s raucous affection was reserved for Tendulkar and Kohli, whereas for Dravid and his successor Pujara, there was muted respect. Incidentally Pujara made his Test debut in Dravid’s hometown Bengaluru in 2010, and that too towards Australia, an opponent he typically defied via his storied profession.
A brisk second innings 72 in a profitable chase, marked out Pujara as one for the lengthy haul. The promising begin, nevertheless, was marred by an damage. A knee surgical procedure and its after-effects affected him for lengthy. But he returned to his favorite longer format, and as soon as Dravid retired, made the quantity three spot his personal.
Leaving the ball, defending as if his life-breath relied on it, and getting his eye in earlier than essaying some photographs, have been all a part of Pujara’s copybook. Hailing from Rajkot and representing Saurashtra in first-class cricket, Pujara revealed an unlimited urge for food for runs.
Daddy lots of have been his norm and as soon as he firmed up his stance inside the Test unit, the runs, doughty and enduring, flowed. As he finishes with 7195 runs averaging 43.60 from 103 Tests, and with 19 tons to boot, Pujara can look again with pleasure at a splendid profession.
He final performed for India in 2023 as main up to it, the runs had dried up. He and Ajinkya Rahane have been eased out throughout the transition course of. With Pujara preferring to relaxation his toes, a definite stage in Indian cricket has concluded. As Rohit Sharma and Kohli have already retired, India’s middle-order is sure to sport a brand new really feel, which was apparent in the latest England tour.
Having moved into the commentator’s chair, an final tribute was paid to Pujara when Aussie speedsters, whereas speaking to him on air, informed him: “Good, not to bowl to you Puji.” They would know, as Pujara was a number one champion when India defeated Australia in its yard in the 2018-19 collection.
He scored three lots of then, and in the 2020-21 away collection, performed a gritty hand as India prevailed over host Australia. At 37, Pujara has determined to transfer on whereas his place in the pantheon of Indian batting greats is assured.
