Cheteshwar Pujara, India’s long-serving No. 3 batter in Test cricket, announced his retirement from all formats on Sunday. The 37-year-old confirmed the decision through a social media post, drawing curtains on a career that spanned nearly 20 years.
Journey from Rajkot to the national team
In his farewell note, Pujara reflected on his childhood dream of wearing the India jersey. “As a boy from Rajkot, I could not have imagined the love, opportunities and purpose this game would give me. Representing my state and my country has been the greatest honour,” he wrote.
He added that singing the national anthem and giving his all for India was a privilege he would cherish forever. “But all journeys must conclude, and with gratitude I have chosen to retire from Indian cricket,” Pujara said.
Final outing in domestic cricket
Pujara’s last appearance came in February 2025 during Saurashtra’s Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Gujarat. He ended his First-Class career with 21,301 runs in 278 matches, the fourth-highest by an Indian, including 18 double centuries and three triple hundreds.
Test mainstay for more than a decade
The right-hander represented India in 103 Tests, scoring 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, with 19 hundreds and 35 half-centuries. His highest Test score was 206 not out.
Although knee injuries cut short his ODI and IPL opportunities, Pujara built a reputation as one of the most reliable Test batters of his era. Seen as Rahul Dravid’s successor, he became the backbone of India’s batting line-up in challenging overseas tours.
Historic contribution in Australia
Pujara’s most memorable performance came in the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he amassed 521 runs in four Tests. His ability to absorb pressure and face over 1,200 deliveries played a decisive role in India’s first-ever Test series win in Australia.
Reactions from cricket fraternity
The BCCI described him as “one of India’s most determined and respected Test specialists.”
Former India opener Gautam Gambhir said Pujara was the man who “stood firm when others fell.”
VVS Laxman highlighted his grit, recalling the body blows Pujara absorbed during the 2021 Gabba Test, which India famously won.
End of an era
Pujara’s batting was defined by discipline, patience and courage—qualities that helped India script some of its finest overseas Test victories. With over 21,000 First-Class runs and a reputation as India’s ultimate red-ball warrior, his retirement marks the end of a golden chapter in the country’s Test history.
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