Pujara’s Final Bow: India’s Marathon Man Hangs His Boots
Indian cricket star Pujara has drawn curtains on his 13-year international career. The 37-year-old batsman shared his retirement plans on social media, ending a remarkable Test journey of 103 matches. His impressive tally of 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, along with 19 centuries, places him as India’s eighth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket.
Pujara’s batting excellence shone through both at home and overseas throughout his distinguished career. His most significant contribution came during India’s historic Test series wins in Australia. The 2018-19 tour stands out where he dominated with 521 runs at 74.42, scoring three hundreds. His Test journey began with a century against New Zealand in Hyderabad back in August 2012. The veteran went on to represent India in the World Test Championship Finals of 2021 and 2023. His traditional batting approach made him India’s last pure Test specialist at a time when cricket became more focused on shorter formats. Pujara faced 15,797 deliveries in Tests – one of the highest by any batter since his debut in 2010. His legacy of unwavering determination and technical mastery sets a benchmark that modern cricketers will find hard to surpass.
Pujara announces retirement from international cricket
Image Source: The Economic Times
Pujara announces retirement from international cricket
Test cricket specialist Cheteshwar Pujara called time on his international career on August 24, 2025. The 37-year-old Indian batter shared his decision through social media after playing 103 Tests for his country. His last appearance in Indian colors came against Australia during the World Test Championship final in June 2023.
What did Pujara say in his farewell post?
Pujara’s heartfelt goodbye message took us back to his early days. “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,” he wrote.
His words carried deep appreciation: “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”.
He thanked the BCCI, Saurashtra Cricket Association, teammates, coaches, and his family for their steadfast dedication throughout his career.
When and how was the announcement made?
Cricket fans woke up to this unexpected news on a Sunday morning through Pujara’s social media posts. Many believed he would play the upcoming Ranji Trophy season with Saurashtra, but his retirement announcement caught the cricket community off guard. His last First Class match turned out to be the Ranji Trophy quarterfinal loss against Gujarat in February, marking the end of a career spanning almost two decades.
Why did he choose to retire now?
Pujara spent about a week thinking through this decision before making it public. He told reporters, “I have not been a part of the Indian team for the last few years, but now I thought that this is the right time because young players have got an opportunity in domestic cricket, which is why I made this decision”.
He spoke with his family and senior players before reaching this conclusion. His hopes of returning to the Test side after being dropped following the 2023 World Test Championship final defeat ended up with this retirement decision.
India celebrates Pujara’s Test career with tributes
Image Source: India Today
India celebrates Pujara’s Test career with tributes
Cricket personalities across India shared heartfelt tributes to Cheteshwar Pujara after his retirement announcement. They recognized his massive impact on Indian cricket.
Shubman Gill, Gambhir, and Tendulkar lead the praise
Young star Shubman Gill admired Pujara’s technique. “I learned the importance of patience at the crease by watching Pujara batting in India and overseas,” he said. Former opener Gautam Gambhir called him “the backbone of India’s middle order for over a decade.” Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar praised Pujara’s dedication and highlighted how his classic Test cricket approach stood out when aggressive batting dominated the game.
VVS Laxman recalls Gabba heroics
VVS Laxman, the former India batsman, remembered Pujara’s brave performance at the Gabba in 2021. “The way he absorbed those blows at Brisbane showed his character and commitment to the team’s cause,” Laxman remarked. He also noted how Pujara’s resilience under pressure helped India achieve their historic series win in Australia.
Harsha Bhogle and Anil Kumble reflect on his legacy
Prominent commentator Harsha Bhogle admired Pujara’s focus. “In a T20-dominated era, he remained a purist who valued his wicket above all.” Bhogle drew parallels between Pujara’s concentration and legendary players from past eras. Anil Kumble, India’s former captain and coach, credited Pujara’s ability to tire out bowling attacks as key to India’s success away from home.
Social media floods with farewell messages
Tributes poured in on social platforms with hashtags like #ThankYouPujara and #PujaraLegacy. Cricket fans shared unforgettable moments including:
- His marathon innings in Australia (2018-19)
- Patient knocks in challenging conditions against Bangladesh
- Defiant batting displays in Sri Lanka
- Classic defensive technique against world-class bowlers
Critics of his strike rate ended up acknowledging his unique value to Indian cricket. A viral post captured it perfectly: “While others hit centuries, Pujara built monuments of patience.”
Pujara builds a legacy through iconic Test performances
Image Source: ESPNcricinfo
Pujara builds a legacy through iconic Test performances
2018-19 Australia tour: 521 runs and 3 centuries
Pujara stood as the life-blood of India’s batting lineup during their historic first-ever Test series win in Australia. His remarkable tally of 521 runs came at an average of 74.42 across the four-match series. No visiting batsman had ever faced more deliveries in a four-Test series in Australia than Pujara’s 1,258. When India struggled at 41/4 in Adelaide, he rescued the team with a brilliant 123 in the first innings and followed it up with 71 in the second. His dominance continued with a masterful 106 at Melbourne and 193 at Sydney.
Gabba 2021: Taking body blows for the team
The Gabba in 2021 showcased Pujara’s most courageous display when he scored 56 off 211 balls. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins peppered him with bouncers, but they couldn’t breach his defense. The Australian bowlers grew so frustrated they joked, “Now if you don’t get out, we’ll have to ask for wheelchairs”. His stubborn resistance allowed Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant to play their natural game, which led to India’s historic fortress breach.
Ranchi double hundred and Johannesburg resistance
The Ranchi Test of 2017 saw Pujara craft 202 against Australia – the longest innings by an Indian at 525 balls faced. His gritty 153 at Johannesburg in 2013 against Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, and Morne Morkel showed similar determination. The green pitch didn’t faze him – he took 53 balls to score his first run, yet his measured strike rate of 27.93 proved vital in India’s victory.
Pujara batting in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
Pujara’s batting prowess extended to teams of all sizes. His Bangladesh record shone with an exceptional average of 74.00 across two Tests, including a century. Sri Lanka felt his impact even more as he averaged 90.80 with three hundreds in just four Tests. His unbeaten 145 in Colombo sealed a significant series win.
How Pujara’s style redefined India’s Test batting
Image Source: The Tribune
How Pujara’s style redefined India’s Test batting
Old-school technique in a modern era
Cheteshwar Pujara stands tall as the last guardian of traditional Test batting values. T20 cricket has pushed most batsmen toward aggressive play, but Pujara managed to keep his steadfast dedication to defense, patience, and the art of exhausting bowlers. His batting technique shows a minimal backlift, precise footwork, and remarkable concentration—qualities that modern batsmen rarely display.
Comparison with Rahul Dravid at No.3
People naturally compared him with Rahul Dravid throughout his career due to their similar batting position and temperament. Both earned the nickname “The Wall,” yet their techniques differed. Dravid’s classical elegance contrasted with Pujara’s focus on what worked rather than what looked good. These two batting giants shared exceptional mental strength and showed grit in tough situations.
Pujara’s role in India’s overseas success
India’s away victories owe much to Pujara’s contributions. His skill to neutralize opposition attacks worked best on difficult pitches, which gave aggressive batsmen like Kohli and Pant the freedom to play their natural game. His defensive mastery created attacking opportunities for teammates—a tactical edge that helped India become a strong overseas Test team.
Why he never played T20Is
Pujara never wore India’s T20 jersey. His specialized skills centered around patience rather than power-hitting made him unsuitable for cricket’s shortest format. He dedicated himself to mastering Test batting instead, becoming one of the last pure specialists in an era where most cricketers play all formats.
Cheteshwar Pujara’s legacy exceeds mere statistics. His remarkable career spans 13 years and 103 Tests, showing his dedication to cricket’s purest format when shorter versions dominated the game. His retirement signifies more than a personal milestone – it represents the gradual disappearance of specialist Test batsmen from modern cricket.
Pujara’s batting technique made him unique in today’s cricket landscape. Most batsmen adapted their game toward aggressive stroke play, but he stayed true to his traditional approach. His patient batting style showcased exceptional concentration and technical excellence that frustrated bowling attacks worldwide. This methodical approach proved invaluable during India’s historic overseas victories, particularly the back-to-back series wins in Australia.
The timing of Pujara’s retirement highlights his selfless nature. Despite being away from the national team since June 2023, he chose to step aside to create opportunities for younger talent in domestic cricket. His farewell message expressed deep pride in representing India, wearing the national jersey, and singing the anthem before each match.
Cricket fans will remember Pujara’s remarkable resilience under pressure. His iconic moment at the Gabba, absorbing multiple blows while holding his ground, perfectly captures his contribution to Indian cricket. His ability to exhaust opposition bowlers created scoring chances for aggressive teammates – a tactical advantage that helped India emerge as a global Test force.
Pujara’s masterful batting against world-class bowling attacks in challenging conditions will live on in cricket folklore. Though he never played T20 internationals, his specialized skills earned him a special place among cricket’s elite. Today’s cricket might favor faster formats, but Pujara’s career stands testament to the lasting value of patience, technique, and mental strength in Test cricket.
