The Crossbill Sports Desk
Cheteshwar Pujara, one of India’s most dependable Test batters of the last decade, has announced his retirement from “all forms of Indian cricket” with immediate effect.
The 37-year-old, who last represented India in the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in June 2023, confirmed the decision on Sunday through his social media handles.
“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,” Pujara wrote.
“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. Thank you for all the love and support!”
Pujara’s decision brings the curtain down on an international career that began in October 2010 and spanned over a decade, during which he played 103 Tests and five ODIs.
While his white-ball appearances were limited, it was in Test cricket where Pujara built his legacy, amassing 7195 runs at an average of 43.60, including 19 centuries and 35 fifties. Taking over the crucial No. 3 spot after Rahul Dravid, he became India’s rock in the batting line-up, scoring centuries against every Test-playing nation he faced except Afghanistan. Notably, he struck five hundreds each against Australia and England, and four against Sri Lanka.
His contributions were pivotal in some of India’s most historic series victories. He made his Test debut against Australia in Bengaluru in late 2010 and went on to play a central role in India’s famous 2018-19 and 2020-21 Test series wins in Australia. He was named Player of the Series in the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India’s first-ever Test series triumph on Australian soil, scoring 521 runs across four matches. His consistency also helped India clinch another home series win over Australia in early 2023.
Pujara, who began his first-class career with Saurashtra in December 2005, continued to represent the state team until the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season. He also featured for Sussex in the English County Championship, further cementing his reputation as a red-ball specialist.
Reflecting on his journey, Pujara wrote, “As a little boy from the small town of Rajkot, along with my parents, I set out to aim for the stars, and dreamt to be a part of the Indian cricket team. Little did I know then that this game would give me so much - invaluable opportunities, experiences, purpose, love, and above all a chance to represent my state and this great nation.”
“I would like to thank the BCCI, and Saurashtra Cricket Association for the opportunity and support through my cricket career. Am equally grateful to all the teams, franchises and counties I have been able to represent over the years,” he said.
“The game has taken me to places across the globe - and the passionate support and energy of the fans has always been a constant. I have been humbled by the wishes and motivation wherever I have played and will always remain grateful,” he added.
Pujara was one of the few in modern cricket who placed red-ball cricket above the glamour of the shorter formats. His ODI career lasted just five matches between 2013 and 2014, yielding 51 runs, and his appearances in the IPL were sporadic.
He represented Kolkata Knight Riders (2010), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2011–2013), and Kings XI Punjab (2014), and was later part of the Chennai Super Kings squad in 2021 though he did not feature in a match. Domestically, he last played a 50-over fixture in December 2023 and a T20 in November 2022.
Even after his playing opportunities narrowed, Pujara remained connected to the game as a cricket pundit, including stints with ESPNcricinfo. With his retirement, Indian cricket bids farewell to a stalwart who embodied resilience, patience, and determination in the longest format of the game.
The 37-year-old, who last represented India in the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in June 2023, confirmed the decision on Sunday through his social media handles.
“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,” Pujara wrote.
“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. Thank you for all the love and support!”
Pujara’s decision brings the curtain down on an international career that began in October 2010 and spanned over a decade, during which he played 103 Tests and five ODIs.
While his white-ball appearances were limited, it was in Test cricket where Pujara built his legacy, amassing 7195 runs at an average of 43.60, including 19 centuries and 35 fifties. Taking over the crucial No. 3 spot after Rahul Dravid, he became India’s rock in the batting line-up, scoring centuries against every Test-playing nation he faced except Afghanistan. Notably, he struck five hundreds each against Australia and England, and four against Sri Lanka.
His contributions were pivotal in some of India’s most historic series victories. He made his Test debut against Australia in Bengaluru in late 2010 and went on to play a central role in India’s famous 2018-19 and 2020-21 Test series wins in Australia. He was named Player of the Series in the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India’s first-ever Test series triumph on Australian soil, scoring 521 runs across four matches. His consistency also helped India clinch another home series win over Australia in early 2023.
Pujara, who began his first-class career with Saurashtra in December 2005, continued to represent the state team until the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season. He also featured for Sussex in the English County Championship, further cementing his reputation as a red-ball specialist.
Reflecting on his journey, Pujara wrote, “As a little boy from the small town of Rajkot, along with my parents, I set out to aim for the stars, and dreamt to be a part of the Indian cricket team. Little did I know then that this game would give me so much - invaluable opportunities, experiences, purpose, love, and above all a chance to represent my state and this great nation.”
“I would like to thank the BCCI, and Saurashtra Cricket Association for the opportunity and support through my cricket career. Am equally grateful to all the teams, franchises and counties I have been able to represent over the years,” he said.
“The game has taken me to places across the globe - and the passionate support and energy of the fans has always been a constant. I have been humbled by the wishes and motivation wherever I have played and will always remain grateful,” he added.
Pujara was one of the few in modern cricket who placed red-ball cricket above the glamour of the shorter formats. His ODI career lasted just five matches between 2013 and 2014, yielding 51 runs, and his appearances in the IPL were sporadic.
He represented Kolkata Knight Riders (2010), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2011–2013), and Kings XI Punjab (2014), and was later part of the Chennai Super Kings squad in 2021 though he did not feature in a match. Domestically, he last played a 50-over fixture in December 2023 and a T20 in November 2022.
Even after his playing opportunities narrowed, Pujara remained connected to the game as a cricket pundit, including stints with ESPNcricinfo. With his retirement, Indian cricket bids farewell to a stalwart who embodied resilience, patience, and determination in the longest format of the game.
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