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In a time when many cricket legends have been hanging up their boots, Cheteshwar Pujara has joined the list. The 37-year-old, known for his gritty, classic Test match batting, officially announced his retirement on August 24, after a career spanning 103 Test matches. Following his decision, Pujara shared some candid thoughts that have become a major point of discussion in the cricketing world.
Cheteshwar Pujara reflects on career and indirectly mentions one regret
In a recent conversation with TOI, Pujara was asked about any regret he had in terms of his cricketing career. He admitted that while winning the World Test Championship (WTC) during his playing days would have been nice, he carries no regrets about his journey.
“While it would have been nice if we had won the WTC during my career, there are no regrets,” Pujara stated.
During his stellar career, Pujara was part of Indian side in both of the inaugural World Test Championship finals. He was a key part of the Indian squad that lost to New Zealand in the 2021 final, and he was once again in the side that fell to Australia in the 2023 final. This latter match, which was a heartbreaking loss for India, ended up being Pujara’s final appearance for the national team.
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Pujara also opened up on his favourite innings
Pujara also said the innings he remembers most fondly was the unbeaten 145 against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. Asked to open the innings in the decisive third Test with the series tied one-all, he delivered on a tough pitch despite not featuring in the first two matches. Recalling it in a conversation with Cricbuzz, he described that knock as one of his most cherished.
“Well, the innings I remember most fondly was the 145 against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. It was an unbeaten knock, and I was asked to open the innings. It was an important match – the third Test with the series tied one-all – and it was a tough pitch to bat on. I hadn’t played the first-two Tests, so I remember that innings very fondly,” Pujara stated to Cricbuzz.
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