Cheteshwar Pujara bids farewell to cricket, ending a legendary career as India’s most reliable Test batsman

New Delhi (India) August 24: On Sunday, Cheteshwar Pujara announces his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket. He is one of India's most reliable Test players of the modern age. He has a career characterized by quiet persistence. 

A Consistent Performer

Pujara retires with 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60. The career includes 19 hundreds in 103 games. It makes him India's eighth-highest run scorer in Test cricket. His average may have suffered due to a decline in his later career, but his overall impact is still significant.

Farewell Note

Pujara writes in a heartfelt instagram post,

“As a little boy from the small town of Rajkot, along with my parents, I set out to aim for the stars; and dreamt to be a part of the Indian cricket team. Little did I know then that this game would give me so much - invaluable opportunities, experiences, purpose, love, and above all a chance to represent my state and this great nation.

Wearing the Indian jersey, singing the anthem, and trying my best each time I stepped on the field - it's impossible to put into words what it truly meant. But as they say, all good things must come to an end, and with immense gratitude I have decided to retire from all forms of Indian cricket. 

I would like to thank the BCCI, and Saurashtra Cricket Association for the opportunity and support through my cricket career. Am equally grateful to all the teams, franchises and counties I have been able to represent over the years.

Thank you for all the love and support.”

Missed Comeback Chance

Although there were rumors that he will rejoin the Test team for the 2025 Australian tour. But the selectors chose players with fewer years of experience. Even cricketers Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin left the format after India's Test tour in Australia ended badly. 

Only three months after declaring his hunger and desire to be included in the Indian squad for the tour to England, Pujara makes the decision to retire from cricket. He played seven games for Saurashtra during the previous Ranji Trophy season. He scored 402 runs at an average of 40.20. It also includes a double century against Chhattisgarh. 

Unforgettable Contributions

He was India's pillar at number three for over ten years. He helped the team to some of its most famous Test wins. Pujara was important in India's historic series victory during their 2018–19 tour of Australia. It was one of his most memorable performances. He faced 1,258 balls, scored 521 runs, and hit three hundreds. 

His brave performance was matched to the famous Sunil Gavaskar's 774-run innings during the 1970–71 West Indies tour.

In 2023, Pujara played his last game for India at The Oval against Australia. Since then, selectors have ignored him. He has recently been spotted commentating on India's international matches.