Cheteshwar Pujara, India’s backbone in Test cricket for over a decade, has announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket. Hailing from Rajkot, Pujara’s journey was one of grit, tradition, and an unshakable love for the red ball.
Born into a cricketing family, Pujara made his mark early with triple hundreds in domestic cricket. He was seen as the heir to Rahul Dravid, and over the years, lived up to the tag with his technique and temperament. His role in India’s memorable overseas wins, especially in Australia and England, became the stuff of legend.
Pujara scored over 7,000 Test runs, often in the toughest conditions and against the fiercest bowlers. His batting was about survival and accumulation, something rarely celebrated in the age of T20s, but deeply valued by purists.
His retirement comes after a brief absence from the national side post the WTC Final in 2023. However, his performances in county and domestic cricket showed he still had the hunger.
In his farewell message, Pujara expressed gratitude to the BCCI, Saurashtra Cricket Association, teammates, and fans. Though he never played white-ball cricket for India extensively, his legacy in Tests is profound—and permanent.
