Cheteshwar Pujara Bids Farewell to Indian Cricket: A Legacy of Grit and Determination

New Delhi: On Sunday, seasoned cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara announced his retirement from all formats of Indian cricket, marking the end of a remarkable career that showcased his exceptional batting skills in Test matches.

Reflecting on his journey, Pujara shared, "As a young boy from Rajkot, I aspired to join the Indian cricket team alongside my parents. I never imagined that this sport would provide me with countless opportunities, experiences, and the honor of representing my state and country."

He continued, "Wearing the Indian jersey and singing the national anthem before each match was an indescribable experience. However, as the saying goes, all good things must conclude, and with deep gratitude, I have chosen to retire from all forms of Indian cricket," he expressed in a touching social media post.

Pujara retires as India's eighth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket, having accumulated 7,195 runs in 103 matches with an average of 43.60, which includes 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries. In a time when aggressive batting dominates the format, Pujara's approach of wearing down bowlers with patience and resilience has been a hallmark of his success.

"I extend my gratitude to the BCCI and Saurashtra Cricket Association for their unwavering support throughout my career. I also appreciate all the teams, franchises, and counties that I have represented over the years. My journey would not have been possible without the guidance of my mentors, coaches, and spiritual guru, to whom I will always be indebted," he remarked.

Pujara made his Test debut against Australia at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in October 2010, stepping in at number three ahead of Rahul Dravid and scoring a commendable 72 runs in a challenging chase that led India to victory. He also played five One Day Internationals for the national team.

A standout moment in Pujara's illustrious Test career was his performance in the 2018/19 series against Australia, where he faced 1,258 balls and scored 521 runs, earning the title of Man of the Series. He was also part of the unforgettable 2020/21 Test series victory in Australia and the home series in 2023.

"I want to express my appreciation to all my teammates, support staff, net bowlers, analysts, logistics team, umpires, ground staff, scorers, media personnel, and everyone who works tirelessly behind the scenes to allow us to compete in this beloved game.

"To my sponsors, partners, and management team, thank you for your loyalty and belief in me over the years. The sport has taken me to various places around the world, and the passionate support from fans has always been a source of motivation. I am humbled by the encouragement I have received wherever I have played and will remain grateful," Pujara added.

Although Pujara was not part of the Indian team following the loss in the 2023 World Test Championship Final against Australia at The Oval, his new role in cricket commentary, including during the recent 2-2 drawn series in England, will allow fans to continue benefiting from his insights during Test matches.

"None of this would have been possible without the sacrifices and unwavering support of my family—my parents, my wife Puja, my daughter Aditi, my in-laws, and my extended family—who have made this journey truly worthwhile. I look forward to this new chapter in my life, where I can spend more time with them and prioritize family. Thank you for all the love and support!" Pujara concluded.