Cheteshwar Pujara, the man synonymous with grit and resilience, has officially retired from all forms of Indian cricket. In a heartfelt social media post, the 36-year-old thanked his family, coaches, teammates, and fans for their unwavering support. Known for his steely concentration and classical technique, Pujara was India’s batting bulwark in overseas conditions for more than a decade.
Over the course of his career, he played 103 Test matches, scoring 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, including 19 centuries. Often compared to Rahul Dravid for his unflinching temperament, Pujara was instrumental in India’s historic Test series wins in Australia in 2018–19 and 2020–21.
He last played for India in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval. Though he hasn’t featured in the national squad since, he continued to play domestic and county cricket, even scoring a double century in the 2024 Ranji Trophy season.
Pujara’s retirement marks the end of an era defined by patience, old-school technique, and quiet determination. Though the scoreboard will no longer reflect his name, his contribution to Indian cricket will be remembered as a lesson in perseverance and discipline for future generations.
