Cheteshwar Pujara Announces Retirement from All Forms of Cricket: A True End of an Era

Cheteshwar Pujara, one of the finest Test match specialists of modern cricket, has officially announced his retirement from all forms of the game. Known for his grit, patience, and ability to anchor the innings under pressure, Pujara’s decision marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. His retirement is not just the conclusion of a personal journey but also the closing of a chapter where classical Test match batting still shone in the age of T20 fireworks.

Early Life and Rise to Stardom

• Born in Rajkot, Gujarat, Pujara’s cricket journey started in domestic cricket, where his calm presence and unshakable technique quickly caught attention.
• His consistent performances in the Ranji Trophy paved the way for his Test debut in 2010.
• From the beginning, he was compared to Rahul Dravid, earning the tag of “The Wall 2.0” for his ability to soak up pressure and blunt the fiercest bowling attacks.

International Career Highlights

Test Cricket – The Heart of Pujara’s Journey

• Played 103 Test matches, scoring 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60.
• Registered 19 Test centuries and 35 fifties, making him one of India’s most dependable run-scorers.
• Ended his career as India’s eighth-highest run-getter in Tests.

Memorable Series in Australia

• His most iconic contribution came in the 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
• Pujara scored a remarkable 521 runs, winning the Player of the Series award and playing a central role in India’s first-ever Test series win in Australia.
• His resilience at the Gabba in 2021, where he absorbed blow after blow but refused to budge, became a symbol of his fighting spirit.

Domestic and First-Class Cricket

• Accumulated over 21,000 first-class runs, including 66 centuries.
• Represented Saurashtra with distinction, becoming one of the most consistent batsmen in Indian domestic history.
• His monumental innings in domestic cricket were often the foundation of his national selection, and he never failed to deliver when given opportunities.

Playing Style and Legacy

• Pujara’s batting was built on patience, discipline, and textbook technique.
• Unlike many modern players, he was not swayed by flashy stroke play; instead, he wore down bowlers session after session.
• His role was often thankless, absorbing pressure so stroke-makers around him could flourish.
• He epitomized the idea of a “modern-day Test match warrior.”

Tributes and Reactions

• Former players and teammates hailed him as a true gentleman of the game and a warrior who put team ahead of self.
• Ravi Shastri described him as the “spine of India’s Test batting.”
• Legends like Anil Kumble and Sunil Gavaskar praised his unwavering focus and old-school batting approach.
• Fans flooded social media, calling him the last of India’s classical Test batsmen.

No Farewell Match – A Quiet Goodbye

Like many Indian greats such as MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh, Pujara chose to retire quietly, without a farewell match. His understated exit reflects the humility with which he carried himself throughout his career.