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Cheteshwar Pujara Retires from All Forms of Indian Cricket: A Tribute to India’s Test Specialist
India’s dependable Test batter Cheteshwar Pujara has officially announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket. The 37-year-old, who carried the weight of India’s batting at the crucial No. 3 position for over a decade, revealed his decision through a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter).
Pujara’s illustrious journey, filled with grit, patience, and unmatched resilience, has been instrumental in some of India’s most historic Test victories, both at home and overseas. His retirement marks the end of an era for Indian cricket.
Pujara’s Emotional Announcement
In his farewell message, Pujara reflected on the honor of representing India at the highest level:
“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.”
This announcement not only brought back memories of his countless match-saving innings but also highlighted his humility and gratitude for the game.
A Stellar International Career
Test Cricket Legacy
Pujara made his international debut in 2010 and went on to represent India in 103 Test matches and 5 ODIs. He scored 7,195 runs in Tests at an average of 43.60, with 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries.
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At home, Pujara was particularly dominant, amassing 3,839 runs at an average of 52.58.
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His last international outing came during the World Test Championship (WTC) final 2023 against Australia at The Oval, where he donned the Indian whites one final time.
For over a decade, Pujara played the anchor role at No. 3, providing stability to India’s batting lineup and becoming the backbone of many memorable wins.
👉 Related reading: India Test cricket legends
Memorable Innings That Defined Pujara
Early Centuries and Double Hundreds
Pujara’s first Test hundred came against New Zealand in 2012 at Hyderabad. Later that year, he struck a brilliant double century against England, showcasing his ability to bat for long hours.
In 2013, during a drawn Test in Johannesburg, he scored 153 runs in the second innings, batting nearly six hours against South Africa’s fiery pace attack.
Overseas Grit
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2015 Colombo Test: Opened the innings and scored a match-winning 145 against Sri Lanka.
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2018 Southampton Test: On a tough, seaming wicket, he carried his bat with an unbeaten 132, the next best score in that match being Virat Kohli’s 46.
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Ranchi 2017 vs Australia: Batted for 672 minutes and 525 balls to score a double century, one of the longest innings ever by an Indian batter.
Australia Series Heroics
Pujara’s name is etched in Indian cricket history for his monumental contributions during the two historic Test series wins in Australia.
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2018-19: Scored three centuries (Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney), guiding India to their first-ever series win Down Under.
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2020-21: Absorbed 928 balls in four Tests, taking brutal blows to his body yet standing tall. His fighting 56 at Brisbane was crucial in India’s legendary series win.
He is also one of the few Indian batters — alongside ML Jaisimha and Ravi Shastri — to bat on all five days of a Test.
Domestic and County Cricket Contributions
Even after being sidelined from the national team, Pujara continued to serve cricket with the same passion. He represented Saurashtra in domestic cricket and was a prolific run-scorer for Sussex in the County Championship. His first-class record is remarkable:
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21,301 runs in 278 matches
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66 centuries, including three triple hundreds
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A stellar average of 51.82
This further cements his legacy as one of the greatest red-ball batters of the modern era.
Legacy of a True Test Warrior
Pujara’s name will forever be synonymous with patience, resilience, and grit. In an age dominated by T20 cricket, he remained loyal to the classical art of Test batting, often reminding fans of Rahul Dravid’s timeless approach.
His retirement leaves behind not just records, but countless lessons in determination and discipline for the next generation of Indian cricketers.
👉 Read more about Cheteshwar Pujara’s career statistics on ESPNcricinfo.
As Cheteshwar Pujara walks away from Indian cricket, fans will remember him not just for the runs he scored, but for the way he fought on the crease. Whether it was enduring hours of hostile bowling or absorbing blows to secure a draw or a win, Pujara symbolized the essence of Test cricket.
His departure leaves a void in Indian cricket, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
