- The Indian Test stalwart retired with 7195 runs in 103 matches, with 55 fifties and 19 centuries
- His career-best came against England in 2012; a superb knock of 206 in Ahmedabad
NE SPORTS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, AUG 24
Cheteshwar Pujara, one of India’s finest Test batters, called time on his illustrious career on Sunday.
The 37-year-old made the announcement on social media, having played the last of 103 Tests in 2023.
“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.
“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,” said Pujara in a heartfelt note.
The decision to retire was not entirely surprising considering the team’s two other stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, said goodbye to Test cricket ahead of the England tour earlier this year.
The Indian Test stalwart retired with 7195 runs in 103 matches, with 55 fifties and 19 centuries. His career-best came against England in 2012; a superb knock of 206 in Ahmedabad. But for the last couple of years, he hasn’t been in India’s scheme of things. The World Test Championship (WTC) final was the last he played for India in whites.
The Rajkot-born batter, known for his concentration and classical technique, made the No.3 spot his own, often carrying the burden of stabilising India’s innings under pressure. Though likened to Rahul Dravid, Pujara’s grit and match-defining knocks, especially overseas, set him apart.
Central to India’s back-to-back Border-Gavaskar triumphs in Australia, his stubborn resistance wore down elite attacks and laid the platform for historic wins. With his retirement, Test cricket bids farewell to one of its last great stonewallers—built not on flair, but sheer fortitude.
Pujara had also represented India in the ODI, but his international career in coloured clothing didn’t flourish as much as in Tests. He could play 5 matches for India in the fifty-over format, scoring 57 runs.
He may not have made it to India’s T20I set-up, but did play for the likes of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings (previously Kings XI Punjab) and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. In 30 matches, he scored 390 runs, including a fifty.
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