Cheteshwar Pujara announces retirement from all forms of Indian cricket
Cheteshwar Pujara, often hailed as the modern-day wall of Indian cricket, has announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket with immediate effect. The 37-year-old, who last featured for India in the World Test Championship final against Australia in June 2023, took to social media to express his gratitude and emotions.
"Wearing the Indian jersey, singing the anthem, and giving my best every time I stepped on the field – it’s impossible to put into words what it truly meant," Pujara wrote. "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!"
A Career Built on Patience and Technique
In an era dominated by power-hitters and flashy stroke play, Pujara carved a niche as a classical Test batsman. Taking over the pivotal No. 3 spot once held by Rahul Dravid, he anchored India’s batting for more than a decade.
Test Record: 103 matches, 7,195 runs, average of 43.60, 19 centuries, and 35 half-centuries. He scored centuries against every Test nation he faced except Afghanistan, with five each against Australia and England, and four against Sri Lanka.
Pujara’s debut came in 2010 against Australia in Bengaluru. Just days into his Test career, he played a vital knock of 72 while chasing in a tricky fourth innings, immediately showcasing his mettle. From then on, he became the backbone of India’s batting line-up.
The Defining Series: Australia 2018–19
If one moment encapsulates Pujara’s legacy, it was the 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Facing one of the fiercest bowling attacks, he ground down the opposition with unwavering patience.
He scored 521 runs in four Tests, faced 1258 deliveries (the most by a visiting batsman in a four-Test series in Australia), and made three centuries to win the Player of the Series award. His performance powered India to their first-ever Test series win on Australian soil.
Again in 2020–21, his courageous batting in the face of brutal body blows helped India script another famous series win down under.
From Rajkot to the World Stage
Pujara’s journey was not straightforward. Representing Saurashtra, often dismissed as a “cricketing backwater,” he had to fight for recognition. From a triple century in Under-14 cricket to a double ton in Under-19s against England, he piled up domestic runs until the selectors could no longer ignore him.
A knee injury nearly derailed his career, and he was dropped multiple times for more flamboyant batsmen. Yet each time, he fought back with runs and rock-solid defense.
In first-class cricket, his dominance is clear: 278 matches, 21,301 runs at an average of 51.82, with 66 centuries. He also became a fan favorite in English county cricket while representing Sussex.
Limited-Overs and IPL Stints
While Pujara’s heart always belonged to red-ball cricket, he also featured in shorter formats. He played 5 ODIs for India, scoring 51 runs. In domestic List A matches, he scored 5,759 runs at an outstanding average of 57.01 with 16 centuries. In T20s, he made 1,556 runs in 71 matches, including a lone century.
In the IPL, he represented Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Kings XI Punjab, before being part of the Chennai Super Kings squad in 2021, though he didn’t play a match.
Beyond the Pitch
More recently, Pujara has shared his cricketing wisdom as a commentator and analyst. His calm demeanor, deep understanding of the game, and emphasis on discipline make him a natural fit for punditry.
Reflecting on his journey, Pujara said: “As a little boy from Rajkot, along with my parents, I aimed for the stars and dreamt of being part of the Indian cricket team. Little did I know that this game would give me invaluable opportunities, experiences, purpose, love, and above all, a chance to represent my state and this great nation.”
The Legacy
Cheteshwar Pujara retires not as the flashiest batsman of his generation, but as one of its most reliable. For a team often in search of solidity, he was the anchor who allowed stroke-makers to thrive around him. His name will forever be synonymous with resilience, grit, and the art of Test match batting.
For fans of classical technique and unyielding patience, Pujara will always remain India’s timeless red-ball warrior – a true heir to the Dravidian mantle.
Test Career Highlights
| Matches | Runs | Average | Centuries | Half-Centuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 103 Tests | 7,195 | 43.60 | 19 | 35 |
| 5 ODIs | 51 | 10.20 | 0 | 0 |
| 278 First Class | 21,301 | 51.82 | 66 | 81 |
| 130 List A | 5,759 | 57.01 | 16 | 34 |
| 71 T20s | 1,556 | 29.35 | 1 | 9 |
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