Cheteshwar Pujara Announces Retirement A look at his Career, Stats, and Legacy

Indian cricket bid farewell to one of its greatest Test specialists as Cheteshwar Pujara announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on August 24, 2025. Known for his patience, determination, and old-school batting style, Pujara’s career has left behind an unmatched legacy in the longest format of the game.

Early Career and Test Debut

Cheteshwar Pujara made his Test debut against Australia in 2010 at Bangalore. Filling the massive shoes of Rahul Dravid at No. 3, Pujara quickly established himself as the rock of India’s batting order. His classical technique and temperament reminded fans of the golden days of Test cricket, making him one of the most reliable batsmen in the modern era.

Cheteshwar Pujara’s Career Stats

Cheteshwar Pujara, one of India’s greatest Test specialists, built his career around patience, discipline, and consistency. Below are his complete statistics across different formats.

Test Career Stats

• Matches: 103

• Innings: 176

• Runs: 7,195

• Batting Average: 43.60

• 100s / 50s: 19 / 35

• Highest Score: 206*

• Balls Faced: 16,534

• Strike Rate: 43.52

• Catches: 45

📌 Unique Record: Pujara is the only Indian batsman to face more than 500 balls in a single Test innings (vs Australia, Ranchi 2017, when he faced 525 balls for 202 runs).

ODI Career Stats

• Matches: 5

• Runs: 51

• Batting Average: 10.20

• Highest Score: 27

• Strike Rate: 39.53

(Pujara’s ODI career never took off, as his batting style was suited to the longer format.)

First-Class (FC) Career Stats

• Matches: 260

• Runs: 21,301

• Average: 51.82

• Centuries / Half-Centuries: 66 / 81

• Highest Score: 352

• Balls Faced: 40,000+ (approx.)

📌 His sheer dominance in First-Class cricket made him one of the most reliable red-ball batsmen, both for India and county cricket in England.

List A Career Stats

• Matches: 119

• Runs: 4,442

• Batting Average: 44.42

• Centuries / Fifties: 11 / 28

• Highest Score: 158*

IPL Stats

• Matches: 30

• Runs: 390

• Average: 20.52

• Highest Score: 51

• Strike Rate: 102.56

(Pujara played for KKR, RCB, and KXIP but could not cement his place in the IPL because of his classical approach.)

Memorable Performances

• 2012 Ahmedabad: Scored his maiden double century (206*) against England.

• 2017 Ranchi: Scored 202 runs off 525 balls vs Australia — the longest Test innings by an Indian.

• 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (Australia): Scored 521 runs with 3 centuries, winning Player of the Series.

• Brisbane 2021: His 56 (211 balls) in the final Test helped India script a historic series win.

Legacy in Numbers

• Most 200+ scores in Tests by an Indian after Virat Kohli & Sehwag.

• Second only to Rahul Dravid in terms of balls faced per innings.

• Over 21,000 First-Class runs, putting him among the greatest Indian red-ball cricketers of all time.

📊 Summary Table

The Australian Epic – Defining Series of His Career

Pujara’s defining moment came in the 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. He scored 521 runs in four Tests, including three centuries, and was rightly named Player of the Series. His marathon knocks helped India script history by winning their first-ever Test series on Australian soil.

Tributes from Teammates and Legends

Virat Kohli

Former India captain Virat Kohli praised Pujara’s fighting spirit, calling him “the backbone of India’s success overseas.”

Rohit Sharma

Skipper Rohit Sharma hailed him as a “silent warrior” who always put the team’s needs above personal milestones.

Ravichandran Ashwin

Off-spinner R. Ashwin credited Pujara’s tireless batting for giving bowlers the cushion to attack, describing him as a “true match-winner in whites.”

VVS Laxman

Former legend VVS Laxman lauded Pujara for upholding the classical values of Test cricket, saying he reminded the world why patience and determination are priceless.

Ajinkya Rahane

Pujara’s long-time partner in many memorable Test battles, Ajinkya Rahane, emotionally recalled their partnerships, especially the epic stands in Australia, calling Pujara “a brother at the other end.”

Legacy of Cheteshwar Pujara

• The Wall 2.0: Carried forward Rahul Dravid’s role as India’s No. 3 Test anchor.

• Australia Conqueror: His heroic innings in both 2018–19 and 2020–21 series were pivotal in India’s historic overseas triumphs.

• Mental Fortitude: Facing blows on his body without flinching, especially at Brisbane 2021, defined his never-say-die attitude.

• Master of Marathon Innings: Famous for batting long hours, frustrating the best bowling attacks in the world.

Conclusion

With Cheteshwar Pujara’s retirement, Indian cricket loses one of its greatest Test match players of all time. His contribution cannot be measured by just numbers but by the resilience and hope he gave to his teammates and fans. Though he departs without a farewell match, his name will forever remain synonymous with discipline, grit, and the undying love for Test cricket.