Senior Indian Batter Announces Retirement from International and Domestic Cricket
Cheteshwar Pujara Announces Retirement from All Forms of Indian Cricket
Indian batting stalwart Cheteshwar Pujara has officially announced his retirement from all formats of Indian cricket, marking the end of a distinguished career spanning over a decade.
The 37-year-old made the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), expressing gratitude for his journey with the national team. “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, and with immense gratitude, I have decided to retire from all forms of Indian cricket,” Pujara posted.
Career Highlights
- Debut & Stats: Pujara made his Test debut in 2010 and went on to play 103 Tests and 5 ODIs, scoring 7,195 runs in Tests at an average of 43.60, including 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries.
- Iconic Performances: His marathon innings in Australia, South Africa, and England earned him a reputation as India’s most reliable No. 3 batter.
- Historic Wins: Pujara played a pivotal role in India’s back-to-back Test series wins in Australia (2018-19 and 2020-21), facing 928 balls in the latter tour to help India secure a historic win in Brisbane.
- Domestic & County Cricket: Beyond international cricket, Pujara amassed 21,301 runs in 278 first-class matches with 66 centuries, also featuring for Saurashtra and Sussex in domestic and county circuits.
Pujara’s last Test appearance came in the World Test Championship Final 2023 against Australia at The Oval. His departure leaves a lasting legacy of grit, patience, and match-saving performances that defined India’s golden era in Test cricket.
