• Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh and others reacted to Cheteshwar Pujara's retirement from international cricket.

  • Pujara widely celebrated for his unwavering patience and classic technique, made the announcement on August 24.

Indian cricket fraternity hails Cheteshwar Pujara after his retirement from international cricket
Cheteshwar Pujara (Image Source: X)

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In a significant and poignant moment for Indian cricket, veteran Test batter Cheteshwar Pujara has announced his retirement from all forms of international and Indian domestic cricket. The 37-year-old, widely celebrated for his unwavering patience and classic technique, made the announcement on Sunday, August 24 bringing to a close a distinguished career that spanned over a decade.

Chesteshwar Pujara’s international and domestic cricket stats

Pujara’s retirement marks the end of an era for India’s Test side. He was widely regarded as the successor to Rahul Dravid, filling the crucial No. 3 position with his rock-solid defense and ability to wear down opposition bowlers. His career statistics are a testament to his dedication to the longest format of the game, with a total of 7,195 runs in 103 Tests at an average of 43.60, including 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries. His highest Test score was an impressive 206 not out against England in 2012. While his international career focused on Tests, he had a brief stint in ODIs, scoring just 51 runs in five matches. However, his domestic record is truly remarkable, with 5,759 runs from 130 List A games and a massive 21,301 runs in first-class cricket. In the Indian Premier League, he played for three franchises, Kings XI Punjab, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring 390 runs in 30 games.

A possible new chapter for Pujara after retirement from international cricket

In his emotional retirement note, Pujara reflected on the immense pride of representing his country. He extended his heartfelt gratitude to the BCCI, his teammates, support staff, and, most importantly, his family for their unwavering support. His final international appearance was in the World Test Championship final in 2023, though he continued to play domestic cricket, showcasing his enduring passion for the sport.

His retirement, coming in a year that also saw other stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma step away from Test cricket, signifies a generational shift for the Indian team. Pujara’s legacy will be that of a purist, a batter who upheld the traditional values of Test cricket and proved that patience and fortitude are just as important as flair and aggression. Following his retirement, Pujara has already transitioned into a new career, having been seen in a commentary role for the BBC during the England-India Test series.

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Here’s Indian how cricket fraternity reacted: 

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