Cheteshwar Pujara hangs up his boots;  A stalwart of Indian test cricket retires after 20-year journey

Veteran India batter Cheteshwar Pujara on Sunday announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket, bringing down the curtains on an international career spanning more than a decade and a professional journey of nearly 20 years.

The 37-year-old confirmed the decision through a detailed statement on social media, where he reflected on his career, thanked his supporters, and expressed gratitude to his family.

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… pic.twitter.com/p8yOd5tFyT

— Cheteshwar Pujara (@cheteshwar1) August 24, 2025

“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,” Pujara wrote in a post on X.

In his heartfelt post, he said wearing the Indian jersey, singing the anthem, and giving his best on the field was an experience beyond words. “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.”

Career Highlights and Records

Pujara made his Test debut in 2010 against Australia in Bengaluru, scoring a composed 72 in the second innings. Over the next 13 years, he established himself as India’s most reliable No. 3 in the longest format.

Across 103 Test matches, he scored 7,195 runs at an average of 43.61, including 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries. His highest score was 206 against England in Ahmedabad in 2012. Pujara also featured in five One Day Internationals, though his limited-overs appearances remained restricted.

Known for his exceptional patience and rock-solid technique, Pujara’s contributions were instrumental in India’s landmark Test series wins abroad. His match-saving knocks in Australia in 2018–19 and 2020–21 are considered among the defining moments of Indian cricket overseas.

Last Appearance for India

The last time Pujara played for India was in June 2023, during the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval. Despite his exclusion from the national side after that match, he continued to score heavily in domestic cricket for Saurashtra, underlining his enduring commitment to the game.

While he has retired from Indian cricket, Pujara has indicated that he remains available to play in foreign leagues and county cricket, where he has been a regular feature over the years.