Cheteshwar Pujara calls time, announces retirement from all forms of cricket
Bringing the curtains down on a storied career, Cheteshwar Pujara announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Sunday. Hailing from Rajkot, Pujara represented India during a transition that was never supposed to be smooth. He came in to fill the shoes of none other than The Wall, Rahul Dravid, in the Indian Test batting lineup. Pujara emerged as yet another wall, showcasing the value of a true Test batsman amid a period when batters were evolving their game to suit the shorter formats. While Pujara has been phased out of the Indian Test scene for quite some time now, the Rajkot batter still retires as the eighth-highest run-scorer for India in the format.
"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," Pujara wrote in a heartfelt social media post. "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. Thank you for all the love and support."
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… pic.twitter.com/p8yOd5tFyT
— Cheteshwar Pujara (@cheteshwar1) August 24, 2025
Debuting in 2010, Pujara, a specialist Test batter, played 103 Tests for India and also represented the team in blue in 5 ODIs. During his time with the Indian Test side, Pujara established himself as the spine of the batting order. He occupied the No. 3 position, building a legacy on unwavering grit and resilience. While a career spanning well over a decade cannot be defined by just one or two instances of brilliance, India’s historic 2018-19 Test series win in Australia showcased Pujara as the cornerstone of the triumph. He amassed 521 runs, faced 1,258 deliveries, and registered three centuries along the way.
Pujara’s last appearance in Indian whites came in the 2023 WTC Final against Australia. Having represented India in over 100 Tests, he piled up 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, decorated with 19 centuries and 35 fifties. Beyond his international exploits, Pujara’s love for the game made him a consistent cog in the domestic circuit. Moreover, the 37-year-old also has a rich tally to his name in county championships.
Most recently, Cheteshwar Pujara, along with Ajinkya Rahane, missed out on securing a spot in the West Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy. The domestic tournament marks the start of the Indian season. With the BCCI prioritising the participation of the up-and-coming lot in first-class and List A cricket, state associations have been pushed to make some tough calls. The cases of Rahane, who has relinquished his captaincy role with Mumbai, and Pujara highlight two veterans approaching the twilight of their respective careers.
