Cheteshwar Pujara retires from all forms of cricket

Veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara has announced his retirement from all formats of Indian cricket. On Sunday, the 37-year-old took to his social media handles, making the announcement through an emotional post.

“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," Pujara wrote. “Thank you for all the love and support," he added.

The Indian Test stalwart retired with 7195 runs in 103 matches, with 55 fifties and 19 centuries. His career-best came against England in 2012, a superb knock of 206 in Ahmedabad. But for the last couple of years, he hasn’t been in India’s scheme of things. The World Test Championship (WTC) final was the last he played for India in whites.

The Rajkot-born batter, known for his concentration and classical technique, made the No.3 spot his own, often carrying the burden of stabilising India’s innings under pressure. Though likened to Rahul Dravid, Pujara’s grit and match-defining knocks, especially overseas, set him apart.

Central to India’s back-to-back Border-Gavaskar triumphs in Australia, his stubborn resistance wore down elite attacks and laid the platform for historic wins. With his retirement, Test cricket bids farewell to one of its last great stonewallers—built not on flair, but sheer fortitude.

Pujara had also represented India in the ODI, but his international career in coloured clothing didn’t flourish as much as in Tests. He could play only 5 matches for India in the fifty-over format, scoring 57 runs.