Cheteshwar Pujara Finally Calls It Quits: The End of an Era for India’s Most Patient Batsman

Well, well, well. After what felt like an eternity of speculation (much like watching Pujara bat, actually), India’s wall himself has finally hung up his boots. Cheteshwar Pujara announced his retirement from “all forms of Indian cricket” on Sunday, and honestly, it’s about time we got some closure on this drawn-out saga.

The 37-year-old Saurashtra stalwart took to social media to break the news, and you know what? For once, he didn’t leave us hanging for hours like one of his trademark innings. His announcement was refreshingly direct: “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.”

The Numbers That Tell Pujara’s Story

Let’s talk stats, because if there’s one thing Pujara loved more than occupying the crease, it’s probably looking at his career numbers. Over 13 years in international cricket, the man from Rajkot played 103 Tests and managed to squeeze in a whopping five ODIs. Yes, you read that right – five. Because apparently, playing fast cricket wasn’t really his thing.

In Test cricket, Pujara accumulated 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, which is pretty decent if you ask anyone who’s ever tried to survive a Mitchell Starc spell. He notched up 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries, proving that slow and steady sometimes does win the race. His home average of 52.58 was particularly impressive, though let’s be honest – batting in familiar conditions does have its perks.

The man scored centuries against every Test-playing nation he faced except Afghanistan, but considering he only played them once, we’ll give him a pass on that one. His five centuries against Australia and England each show he knew how to rise to the occasion when it mattered most.

Pujara’s Golden Moments Down Under

If we’re being completely honest here, Pujara’s career-defining moment came during India’s historic 2018-19 series win in Australia. Remember that? When India finally managed to win a Test series on Australian soil for the first time ever? Yeah, Pujara was right at the heart of it.

The guy scored 521 runs in four Tests and walked away with the Player of the Series award. Watching him bat in that series was like watching paint dry, but damn effective paint that somehow managed to frustrate the Australian bowlers to the point of madness. His marathon innings in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney were masterclasses in Test match batting – the kind that makes purists weep with joy and everyone else reach for the remote.

The Art of Occupying the Crease

Here’s what made Pujara special (and occasionally infuriating to watch): the man could bat for days. Literally. He’s one of only three Indian players, alongside ML Jaisimha and Ravi Shastri, to bat on all five days of a Test match. Talk about dedication to the cause.

His most celebrated knock came in Ranchi in 2017 against Australia, where he faced 525 balls and batted for over 11 hours to score a double century. Eleven hours! Most of us can’t even sit through a Marvel movie without checking our phones, and this guy was out there blocking balls for nearly half a day.

The White-Ball Experiment That Wasn’t

Let’s address the elephant in the room – Pujara’s white-ball career. If his Test career was a slow-burning masterpiece, his limited-overs stint was more like a brief, forgettable cameo. Five ODIs for 51 runs between 2013 and 2014 pretty much tells you everything you need to know about how that experiment went.

His IPL career wasn’t much better. Despite playing for multiple franchises, including KKR, RCB, and KXIP, Pujara never really found his groove in the shortest format. Chennai Super Kings even had him in their squad in 2021, but he couldn’t buy a game. Sometimes, you just have to accept that not everyone is built for the big-hitting, boundary-clearing madness of T20 cricket.

The Changing of the Guard

Pujara’s retirement adds another name to the growing list of Indian cricket legends who’ve called it quits recently. R Ashwin surprised everyone by retiring in December 2024, and then Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma followed suit earlier this year. It’s like watching the end credits of a really long cricket movie that started back in 2010.

What’s interesting is that Pujara hadn’t played for India since the World Test Championship final against Australia in June 2023. That match at The Oval turned out to be his international swan song, though nobody knew it at the time. Sometimes cricket endings aren’t as dramatic as we’d like them to be.

Beyond the International Arena

Even after his international career wound down, Pujara kept himself busy. He continued playing for Saurashtra in domestic cricket and had stints with Sussex in the County Championship. The man also tried his hand at cricket punditry, working with multiple networks including ESPNcricinfo. Because if you can’t play the game anymore, you might as well talk about it, right?

His first-class career began way back in December 2005 for Saurashtra, and he was still turning up for them as recently as the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season. That’s nearly two decades of cricket at the highest domestic level – talk about longevity.

The Legacy of India’s No. 3

Pujara’s greatest achievement might be successfully filling the massive shoes left by Rahul Dravid at No. 3. Following “The Wall” was never going to be easy, but Pujara managed to create his own identity in that position. He became the guy opposition bowlers knew they’d have to work incredibly hard to dismiss.

Sure, his strike rate wasn’t going to set any records, and yes, watching him bat sometimes felt like watching grass grow. But in an era where everyone wants to hit boundaries and play shots, Pujara remained committed to the old-school art of Test match batting. He understood that sometimes, the best thing you can do for your team is simply not get out.

What’s Next for the Rajkot Run-Machine?

With his playing days behind him, it’ll be interesting to see what Pujara does next. His experience and deep understanding of the game make him a natural candidate for coaching or commentary roles. Given how much he’s learned about batting in different conditions around the world, he could be invaluable in helping develop the next generation of Indian batsmen.

One thing’s for sure – Pujara leaves behind a legacy of grit, determination, and the kind of patience that modern cricket sometimes lacks. In a world obsessed with quick runs and flashy shots, he proved that there’s still a place for good old-fashioned Test match batting.

So long, Pujara. Thanks for all the marathon innings, the match-saving knocks, and for showing us that sometimes, boring can be beautiful. Cricket won’t be quite the same without your methodical approach to batting, but hey, at least we’ll get through Test matches a bit quicker now.