Cheteshwar Pujara, the old-fashioned batter who lent spine to the Indian Test unit

Solidity at the crease and a sense of dignity remained Cheteshwar Pujara’s special attributes. As the Indian batter announced his retirement from cricket on Sunday, an era has ended. Pujara was all about classical batsmanship marinated in Test whites.

In an age of bling, mighty sixes and hyperbole, Pujara was an exception. The old-fashioned batter was eager to grind out attacks, took blows on his body, and often laid the foundation for his more effervescent team-mates like Virat Kohli to prosper.

It is a thread that links him to Rahul Dravid. Both men largely did duty at number three in Tests, they stemmed the initial crack when an opener departed, and often they were a shield to the next man stepping in. In both cases, the number four batter was a superstar, be it Sachin Tendulkar or Kohli.

One of the foremost Test specialists in the 21st century Cheteshwar Pujara retires

Former Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on August 24, 2025.

“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,” said Pujara in a heartfelt note.

Pujara has played 103 Tests scoring 7,195 runs with 206 not out being his highest score. He has scored 19 centuries along with 35 half-centuries.

In first class cricket, he has played 278 matches scoring 21,301 runs with 352 being his highest. His average in first-class cricket is 51.82. He has scored 66 centuries and 81 half-centuries.

Son and pupil of former Ranji player Arvind, Pujara grew up piling on big scores even as a boy: a triple-century in Under-14 cricket, and a double against England in Under-19.

In a heartfelt note, Cheteshwar Pujara said “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.”

Cheteshwar Pujara also has played 71 T20 matches scoring 1,556 runs with 100 being his best.

In his brief white-ball career, Pujara played five one-day internationals during 2013-14, but cemented his place in the test side while mostly batting at No. 3 after Rahul Dravid quit international cricket. Pujara, a technically proficient right-handed batter, made his test debut against Australia at Bengaluru in 2010 and was part of many memorable victories against the same opposition in red-ball cricket.

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The crowd’s raucous affection was reserved for Tendulkar and Kohli, while for Dravid and his successor Pujara, there was muted respect. Incidentally Pujara made his Test debut in Dravid’s hometown Bengaluru in 2010, and that too against Australia, an opponent he often defied through his storied career.

A brisk second innings 72 in a winning chase, marked out Pujara as one for the long haul. The promising start, however, was marred by an injury. A knee surgery and its after-effects affected him for long. But he returned to his favourite longer format, and once Dravid retired, made the number three spot his own.

Leaving the ball, defending as if his life-breath depended on it, and getting his eye in before essaying some shots, were all part of Pujara’s copybook. Hailing from Rajkot and representing Saurashtra in first-class cricket, Pujara revealed an enormous appetite for runs.

Daddy hundreds were his norm and once he firmed up his stance within the Test unit, the runs, doughty and enduring, flowed. As he finishes with 7195 runs averaging 43.60 from 103 Tests, and with 19 tons to boot, Pujara can look back with pride at a splendid career.

He last played for India in 2023 as leading up to it, the runs had dried up. He and Ajinkya Rahane were eased out during the transition process. With Pujara preferring to rest his feet, a distinct stage in Indian cricket has concluded. As Rohit Sharma and Kohli have already retired, India’s middle-order is bound to sport a new feel, which was obvious in the recent England tour.

Having moved into the commentator’s chair, an ultimate tribute was paid to Pujara when Aussie speedsters, while talking to him on air, told him: “Good, not to bowl to you Puji.” They would know, as Pujara was a leading champion when India defeated Australia in its backyard in the 2018-19 series.

He scored three hundreds then, and in the 2020-21 away series, played a gritty hand as India prevailed over host Australia. At 37, Pujara has decided to move on while his place in the pantheon of Indian batting greats is assured.