Cheteshwar Pujara Retires: The Silent Warrior Who Embodied Test Cricket

 



Cheteshwar Pujara, one of India’s finest Test specialists and a modern-day torchbearer of classical batting, has announced his retirement from all formats of cricket at the age of 37. His illustrious career, spanning nearly two decades, symbolized patience, determination, and an unwavering commitment to the longest format of the game. Pujara’s departure marks the end of an era that celebrated technique over flamboyance, resilience over aggression, and substance over style.

Early Journey and Rise to Prominence

Born in Rajkot, Pujara made his first-class debut for Saurashtra in December 2005, showcasing his talent as a technically sound right-handed batsman. His consistency at the domestic level earned him a place in the Indian Test side in 2010, where he was groomed to take over the pivotal No. 3 batting position once occupied by Rahul Dravid. Over time, Pujara established himself as the immovable pillar of India’s batting order, earning admiration worldwide for his grit and temperament.


Test Career: A Fortress at No. 3

Pujara’s name is synonymous with Test cricket excellence. Across 103 Test matches, he amassed 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, registering 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries. He was known for marathon stays at the crease, facing a staggering 16,217 deliveries in his career, a testament to his incredible concentration and technique.

Among his most memorable performances was his heroic contribution in the 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he scored 521 runs, including a double-century at Sydney, leading India to their historic first-ever series victory on Australian soil. His efforts in this series earned him the Player of the Series award and global recognition as India’s backbone in overseas conditions. He again played a pivotal role in 2020-21 Test series in Australia when India came back from behind to win the 2nd successive test series 2-1 . Pujara's resilient 56 on the final day of the famous Gabba test helped India to clinch the memorable series 2-1 .  

Pujara’s last Test appearance came during the World Test Championship Final against Australia at The Oval in June 2023, capping off a career that exemplified resilience in challenging situations.

Limited-Overs Career

While Pujara’s focus was always Test cricket, he did feature in five One-Day Internationals, scoring 51 runs, with a highest score of 27. He never represented India in T20 Internationals, choosing instead to dedicate himself to perfecting his Test game.

Domestic and County Cricket Success

Pujara’s dominance extended well beyond international cricket. In a prolific first-class career spanning 278 matches, he accumulated an extraordinary 21,301 runs at an average of 51.83, with 66 centuries and 81 fifties. His domestic record includes a string of double and triple centuries, particularly for Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy.

He also thrived in English county cricket, representing teams such as Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire, where his technical brilliance and adaptability won him acclaim in testing conditions. In List A cricket, he scored 5,759 runs from 130 matches at an average of 38.83, further underlining his versatility at the domestic level.

Style, Character, and Contributions

Cheteshwar Pujara’s batting was a throwback to a classic era—built on patience, immaculate defense, and mental fortitude. He was often hailed as “India’s Wall 2.0”, following in the footsteps of Rahul Dravid. For over a decade, he served as India’s go-to man in high-pressure situations, neutralizing hostile pace attacks and wearing down opponents with his sheer determination.

Pujara’s legacy is not only etched in numbers but also in his character and influence. He played a key role in India’s rise as a dominant Test force, both at home and abroad, and inspired a generation of young cricketers to respect the art of traditional batting. His unwavering focus, work ethic, and quiet leadership earned him the prestigious Arjuna Award, further cementing his stature as one of India’s greats.

The Legacy of a Modern-Day Test Maestro

Cheteshwar Pujara retires as a symbol of Test cricket’s enduring charm—a player who valued discipline over flair and team success over personal glory. His career was a masterclass in patience and grit, reminding the cricketing world of the beauty of attritional batting in an age dominated by power-hitting.

For India, Pujara was not just a run-scorer but a warrior, often standing tall against the fiercest of bowling attacks and anchoring the team’s fortunes. As he bids farewell, cricket loses one of its last great purists, but his example will continue to inspire future generations who believe in the timeless values of the game.



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