Chandigarh, August 24: Cheteshwar Pujara, one of India’s most dependable Test batters of the past decade, on Saturday announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.
Pujara confirmed the decision in a post on X, reflecting on a career defined by grit and resilience at the crease. “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 Indian cricket,” he wrote.
The 36-year-old right-hander, often regarded as the backbone of India’s batting in overseas Tests, played 103 matches, scoring more than 7,000 runs with 19 centuries. Known for his patience and technique, Pujara was instrumental in several of India’s landmark series wins, including the 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Although he was dropped from the Test side last year after a dip in form, Pujara continued to play domestic cricket for Saurashtra and in county cricket in England. His decision marks the end of a career that many teammates and fans hailed as symbolic of India’s fighting spirit in red-ball cricket.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to formally acknowledge Pujara’s contributions in the coming days.
