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Batting great Cheteshwar Pujara has drawn the curtains on his remarkable career, announcing his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket on August 24, 2025. For more than a decade, Pujara stood tall at the No. 3 spot in Tests, a position once owned by Rahul Dravid. With his old-school patience and unshakable temperament, he became India’s rock in the middle, trusted to absorb pressure when wickets fell early.
Across 103 Tests, Pujara piled up 7,195 runs, crafted 19 centuries, and produced countless match-saving efforts that shaped India’s biggest victories both at home and abroad. He wasn’t just about numbers—he was the batter opposition bowlers found hardest to dislodge, the man who turned grinding out sessions into an art form.
3 players who can replace Cheteshwar Pujara in Tests for India
- Abhimanyu Easwaran
The 29-year-old Bengal opener stands as the most experienced candidate among the three contenders, boasting remarkable consistency in domestic cricket that has made him impossible to ignore. Easwaran has accumulated over 7,800 runs in 103 first-class matches at an average of 48.70, including 27 centuries. His recent form has been nothing short of extraordinary, particularly his phenomenal run in 2024-25 where he scored four consecutive first-class centuries.
Easwaran’s recent purple patch includes impressive scores of 191 in the Irani Cup against Mumbai, followed by centuries in the Duleep Trophy and a brilliant 127 against Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy. Since 2021, he has scored nearly 3,000 runs at an average of over 61, making him the most consistent red-ball opener in Indian domestic cricket during that period. His ability to convert starts into meaningful innings is highlighted by his track record of big hundreds, including a highest score of 233. The Bengal batter’s traditional approach of wearing down bowlers with patient batting and solid defense makes him an ideal candidate to fill Pujara’s shoes at the crucial No. 3 position.
- Sarfaraz Khan
The 27-year-old Mumbai batter brings an impressive Test pedigree despite limited international experience, having already announced himself on the biggest stage with remarkable performances. Sarfaraz has scored 371 runs in 6 Test matches at an average of 37.10, including a memorable maiden Test century of 150 against New Zealand. His domestic record is nothing short of phenomenal, with 4,685 runs in 55 first-class matches at an outstanding average of 65.99, featuring 16 centuries.
What makes Sarfaraz particularly special is his first-class average of approximately 69.20, which ranks him fourth among all-time greats with at least 2,000 runs, behind only Don Bradman and Vijay Merchant. His recent form includes a magnificent double century (222 not out) in the Irani Cup, further cementing his reputation as a run machine. Sarfaraz’s ability to convert starts into big scores is evident from his record of converting 10 of his 15 first-class centuries into 150-plus scores, with four double hundreds to his name. His fearless approach and natural strokeplay, combined with his proven ability to handle pressure situations, make him a compelling choice for the No. 3 spot.
- Sai Sudharsan
The 23-year-old Tamil Nadu left-hander represents India’s next generation of batting talent, having already tasted international cricket with 3 Test appearances where he scored 129 runs, including a half-century. Despite making his Test debut with a first-class average below 40 (39.93), Sai Sudharsan has shown remarkable improvement and adaptability. He has 1,396 runs in 27 first-class matches with 6 centuries, and his recent form has been impressive with a double century in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy against Delhi.
Sudharsan’s versatility across formats is evident from his outstanding IPL performances, where he scored 527 runs in 2024 at an average of 47 and was the Orange Cap winner in 2025 with 759 runs. His technical soundness and ability to adapt his game according to match situations was evident during his county stint with Surrey, where he scored his maiden Championship century. Though he had a challenging Test debut with scores of 0 and 30 against England, his mental strength and visualization techniques, combined with his natural strokeplay and temperament, suggest he has the tools to succeed at the highest level with more experience.
The three contenders each offer unique strengths: Easwaran brings proven domestic consistency and traditional Test match temperament, Sarfaraz offers an exceptional conversion rate and fearless approach, while Sudharsan represents the future with his adaptability and multi-format skills. As India seeks Pujara’s successor, any of these three could provide the stability and run-scoring ability needed at the crucial No. 3 position.
Also READ: Puja Pabari pens heartfelt note with cherished memories post husband Cheteshwar Pujara’s retirement
