India’s dependable No. 3 batter, Cheteshwar Pujara, has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The 36-year-old, who last played for India in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval, shared the news through an emotional statement on social media.
Emotional Farewell Note
Pujara spoke about the pride of representing India and the gratitude he feels as he steps away from the game.
“Wearing the Indian jersey, singing the anthem, and giving 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. With immense gratitude, I have decided to retire from all forms of Indian cricket. Thank you for all the love and support,” he wrote on X.
Along with the post, Pujara shared a detailed message reflecting on his two-decade-long career, thanking his teammates, coaches, fans, and family.
Numbers That Speak for His Legacy
Pujara retires as India’s eighth-highest run-getter in Test cricket, with:
- 7,195 runs in 103 Tests
- 19 centuries & 35 fifties
- Career average of 43.60
He also featured in five ODIs after making his international debut in 2010.
The Rock at No. 3
For more than a decade, Pujara stood tall as India’s anchor in the longest format, absorbing pressure and laying the foundation for historic victories. His most celebrated performance came in the 2018–19 series win in Australia, where he amassed 521 runs in four Tests, including three centuries. His resilience and grit were often compared to Sunil Gavaskar’s legendary exploits in the 1970s.
Fighting Till the End
Interestingly, Pujara’s retirement comes just months after he expressed his hunger to return to the Indian side. He continued to pile on runs in domestic cricket and county cricket:
- 402 runs in 7 matches for Saurashtra in the 2023–24 Ranji Trophy, including a double century.
- 501 runs in 6 matches for Sussex in the County Championship.
Despite these performances, a national recall never came his way. His last outing was earlier this year in the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Gujarat, where he scored 26 and 2.
End of an Era
Cheteshwar Pujara’s retirement marks the end of a chapter in Indian cricket. A player who built his reputation on patience, determination, and selflessness, Pujara will always be remembered as the backbone of India’s Test team — the man who stood firm when others fell.
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