After more than a decade of unwavering service to Indian cricket, Cheteshwar Pujara has announced his retirement from all forms of the game. The veteran batsman, often hailed as 'Wall 2.0' for his solid defensive technique and unwavering concentration, has decided to hang up his boots, marking the end of an era in Indian cricket.
Pujara, 37, made his Test debut in 2010 and went on to represent India in 103 Test matches. A classical, technically sound batsman, Pujara became synonymous with grit and resilience at the crease, often wearing down opposition bowlers with his unwavering focus. In his Test career, he amassed 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, including 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries. He also played 5 ODI matches for India scoring mere 51 runs.
Pujara's contribution to India's success in Test cricket is immense. He was a vital cog in the Indian batting line-up, especially in the longest format of the game, known for his ability to bat for long periods and wear down the opposition. His patient and determined approach allowed other batsmen to play more freely around him, making him an invaluable asset to the team. His stellar performance was one of the main reasons for India winning their first-ever Test series in Australia in 2018-19. During India's record-breaking 2018/19 Border-Gavaskar series win in Australia, Pujara scored a staggering 521 runs at 74.42.
While Pujara's Test career is filled with memorable moments, some of his most remarkable performances include his triple century in Ranji trophy and his double century against Australia in March 2017, after which he climbed to a career-best number 2 spot in the rankings for Test batsmen. He is also the third batsman for India to bat on all five days of a Test. His 153 is the highest second innings score by any Indian batsmen in South Africa.
In domestic cricket, Pujara represented Saurashtra and has been a prolific run-scorer. He has scored over 21,000 runs in 278 first-class matches at an average of 51.82, including 66 centuries. In List A cricket, he has 5,717 runs in 130 matches at an average of 57.01.
Pujara's last appearance for India was in the World Test Championship final against Australia in June 2023. In recent times, he had found himself out of favor with the selectors, who were keen on giving opportunities to younger players. Despite this, Pujara remained committed to the game and continued to perform well in domestic cricket, scoring 402 runs in seven matches at an average of 40.2 in the 2024/25 Ranji Trophy season.
In the recent past, there were speculations about Pujara eyeing a comeback in the Indian national squad, especially with India facing concerns in their Test squad, particularly for the No. 3 batting position. He had also expressed his availability to play for Saurashtra in the upcoming Ranji Trophy season. However, he has now decided to retire from all forms of cricket.
Pujara's retirement marks the end of a significant chapter in Indian cricket. His dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to the team will be remembered for years to come. He has been an inspiration to many young cricketers and his contribution to Indian cricket will always be cherished.
