Cheteshwar Pujara, regarded as one of India’s most reliable Test batsmen in the modern game, announced his retirement from all formats of Indian cricket on Sunday. His exit closes the chapter on a career built on resilience, discipline, and quiet determination.
Pujara finishes as India’s eighth-highest run-getter in Test history, compiling 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, with 19 centuries across 103 matches. Although his numbers dipped slightly during the later stages of his career, his overall impact on Indian cricket remains immense. Born in Rajkot, Pujara became synonymous with patience and classical batting technique.
Occupying the crucial No. 3 position, he often held India’s innings together, taking on the responsibility of blunting opposition attacks and absorbing pressure. Often compared to Rahul Dravid, Pujara forged his own legacy with perseverance and match-winning knocks abroad.
His remarkable discipline stemmed from his early training with his father, Arvind, when he would face hundreds of deliveries daily under a neem tree at Rajkot’s 3 Kothi Ground. That foundation shaped his batting approach and defined his international career.
Pujara Last Played For India In 2023 WTC Final
Pujara’s last outing for India came in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval. With selectors prioritizing younger talent since then, he gradually transitioned away from the squad and more recently appeared as a television pundit during India’s matches.
“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,” Pujara wrote in a heartfelt social media post. “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. Thank you for all the love and support.”
Cheteshwar Pujara will be remembered as the backbone of India’s historic 2018–19 Test series win in Australia, where he scored 521 runs and three centuries. A cornerstone of back-to-back Border-Gavaskar triumphs, he embodied grit and patience in an era of aggressive batting, standing as one of Test cricket’s last true stonewallers.
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