The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially congratulated Cheteshwar Pujara on his retirement from international cricket, celebrating a career that epitomized resilience, discipline, and a deep-rooted love for Test cricket.
Pujara’s departure marks the end of an era in Indian cricket, defined by his classical batting style and extraordinary mental toughness. A specialist in the longest format, Pujara brought consistency and calm to India’s batting line-up during some of its most defining Test victories.
Pujara’s legacy: anchoring India with patience and purpose
Making his Test debut in 2010 against Australia, Pujara went on to play 103 Tests, scoring 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, including 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries. But beyond the numbers, his legacy lies in his ability to absorb pressure and perform when it mattered most.
At home, he was a wall India could rely on. His 206* against England in Ahmedabad (2012), 92 against Australia in Bengaluru (2017), and his twin double hundreds—204 and 202 against Australia in Hyderabad and Ranchi—are all etched in memory.
Standing tall abroad: Pujara’s away heroics
Overseas, Pujara was often India’s backbone under pressure. In the 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he scored 521 runs and faced more than 1,200 deliveries, leading India to its historic maiden Test series win in Australia. His long vigil in the Adelaide Test set the tone for the tour.
Again in 2021 at the Gabba, his gritty 56 against a hostile Australian attack helped India seal a historic series victory, showcasing his courage and composure under fire.
BCCI pays tribute to a Test cricket stalwart
Mr. Devajit Saikia, Honorary Secretary of BCCI, praised Pujara’s contribution to Indian cricket:
“Cheteshwar Pujara’s career is a shining example of perseverance and selflessness. He personified the spirit of Test cricket. His ability to grind opposition attacks and his immense powers of concentration made him the bulwark of India’s batting.”
“He showed that it was possible to succeed at the highest level while staying true to traditional values of the game. His commitment to Indian cricket, both at the international and domestic level, has been outstanding. We thank him for everything he has given to the game and to the country,” Saikia added.
Pujara’s retirement closes a defining chapter in India’s modern Test cricket era—a bridge between past legends and the current generation.
