Cheteshwar Pujara announces retirement from all forms of Indian cricket. A tribute to his grit, glory, and unforgettable Test match heroics.
- A Silent Goodbye, A Loud Legacy
- Wearing the Jersey with Pride
- The Numbers Behind the Legend
- Famous Knocks That Defined Him
- 1. Hyderabad, 2012 – First Ton Against New Zealand
- 2. Double Against England, 2012
- 3. Johannesburg, 2013 – Six Hours of Defiance
- 4. Colombo, 2015 – Lone Warrior
- 5. Southampton, 2018 – The Unbeaten 132
- 6. Ranchi, 2017 – The Marathon Innings
- 7. Australia, 2018-19 – The Series of His Life
- 8. Brisbane, 2021 – The Body-Blow Test
- More Than Just Numbers
- Why India Will Miss Him
- The End of an Era
- What the Experts Say
- The Smile-Worthy Legacy
- Related Post
A Silent Goodbye, A Loud Legacy
When bowlers around the world had nightmares of facing an immovable object, that object usually had a bat in hand, a calm face, and the name Cheteshwar Pujara stitched on the jersey. And now, the man who redefined grit in whites has decided to hang up his boots.
Yes, folks. The “Wall 2.0” of Indian cricket has officially announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket. A little heartbreak, a lot of nostalgia, and a whole library of memories are what he leaves behind.
If Test cricket had a synonym for patience, it would simply read – Cheteshwar Pujara.
Wearing the Jersey with Pride
In his farewell note, Pujara summed it up beautifully: “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.”
The man was never about flamboyance. No fancy celebrations, no “look-at-me” statements. Just pure, old-fashioned cricketing values: patience, concentration, and an unshakable temperament.
And boy, did India need that.
The Numbers Behind the Legend
- 103 Tests & 5 ODIs for India.
- 7,195 Test runs at an average of 43.60.
- 19 centuries and 35 fifties.
- A staggering 3839 runs at home, averaging 52.58.
For over a decade, he was the most reliable No. 3 in the world. The bridge between flamboyant openers and the stroke-playing middle order.
To put it simply: If Virat Kohli was the fire, Pujara was the ice.
Famous Knocks That Defined Him
1. Hyderabad, 2012 – First Ton Against New Zealand
Pujara marked his arrival with a classy hundred, showing what patience and focus could build.
2. Double Against England, 2012
A double century at Ahmedabad followed by another ton at Wankhede (yes, during Kevin Pietersen’s masterclass). Pujara showed he was here to stay.
3. Johannesburg, 2013 – Six Hours of Defiance
A second-innings 153, batting nearly six hours against South Africa. A knock built on bricks of discipline.
4. Colombo, 2015 – Lone Warrior
On a tricky track, opening the innings, he scored 145 off 289 balls. The kind of innings that made selectors breathe a sigh of relief.
5. Southampton, 2018 – The Unbeaten 132
While wickets tumbled like dominos, Pujara stood tall against England with 132 not out. His knock was literally the difference between hope and humiliation.
6. Ranchi, 2017 – The Marathon Innings
525 balls. 672 minutes. A double hundred. Enough said. Pujara batted across all five days – something only two other Indians (ML Jaisimha and Ravi Shastri) had done before.
7. Australia, 2018-19 – The Series of His Life
Three centuries (Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney). 928 balls faced. India’s first-ever Test series win Down Under.
If you wanted to show your grandchildren what determination looks like, you’d replay this series.
8. Brisbane, 2021 – The Body-Blow Test
He didn’t score a century. He didn’t even score quickly. But his 56 off 211 balls, while absorbing blows to the body, was the shield that let others script India’s historic Gabba win.
More Than Just Numbers
Pujara wasn’t just about runs. He was about:
- Wearing bowlers down until they begged for mercy.
- Turning five-day matches into chess games.
- Showing that Test cricket was alive and kicking.
At a time when T20 fireworks dominated cricket, Pujara was proof that grit never goes out of style.
Why India Will Miss Him
- No one soaks pressure like Pujara did.
- No one blocks 300 balls and still looks ready for another 300.
- No one makes bowlers age twice as fast.
For a decade, whenever India walked into battle, the message was clear: If Pujara stays, India stays.
The End of an Era
His last Test was against Australia in the World Test Championship final at The Oval, June 2023. Even when sidelined later, he continued to pile runs in domestic cricket for Saurashtra and in the County Championship for Sussex.
But finally, at 37, the man decided it was time to say goodbye.
What the Experts Say
- Former cricketers have called him the true successor of Rahul Dravid.
- Analysts like ESPNcricinfo highlight how he carried India’s batting spine for a generation.
- Fans lovingly call him “the modern-day monk with pads.”
The Smile-Worthy Legacy
While flashy cricketers will come and go, Pujara leaves behind something timeless – the art of patience. In a world that scrolls in 5 seconds, he showed us the magic of waiting for the right ball, the right moment.
So, cricket fans, what’s your favorite Cheteshwar Pujara moment? Was it the bruised body at Brisbane? Or the triple-ton marathon in Australia?
👉 Share your memories, drop a tribute, and spread this story with your cricket gang. Because legends like Pujara deserve more than just stats – they deserve stories told again and again.
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