Cheteshwar Pujara Announces Retirement from All Formats of Cricket
End of an Era in Indian Cricket
Another significant chapter in Indian cricket has concluded as Cheteshwar Pujara, often referred to as the 'Wall' of the Test team following the legendary Rahul Dravid, has declared his retirement from all formats of the game. Fans will no longer see Pujara on the field, not just in international matches but also in professional domestic cricket. His last appearance for India was during the World Test Championship final in 2023.
Pujara's Emotional Farewell
The right-handed batsman shared the news of his retirement via social media, expressing his heartfelt sentiments in a lengthy post. He reflected on the honor of wearing the Indian jersey, singing the national anthem, and striving to give his best every time he stepped onto the field. He acknowledged that every good thing must come to an end, and with deep gratitude, he announced his decision to retire from all formats of Indian cricket, thanking everyone for their love and support.
A Journey from Rajkot to International Stardom
At 37, Pujara reminisced about his journey from a small town in Rajkot, where he dreamt of touching the stars alongside his parents, to becoming a part of the Indian cricket team. He noted that he never anticipated the immense opportunities, experiences, and love that cricket would bring him, especially the chance to represent his state and country. He reiterated the significance of wearing the Indian jersey and the emotions tied to it.
Gratitude for Support and Guidance
Pujara expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Saurashtra Cricket Association for their support throughout his career. He acknowledged all the teams, franchises, and counties he played for, along with his coaches, mentors, and spiritual guides, without whom he believed he wouldn't have reached this point. He also extended his gratitude to teammates, support staff, net bowlers, analysts, logistics teams, umpires, ground staff, scorers, and media personnel who work tirelessly behind the scenes.
Pujara's Career Highlights
Pujara made his international debut for India in 2010 and played until 2023, participating in 103 Test matches and just 5 One Day Internationals (ODIs). His ODI career was not as remarkable, scoring only 15 runs during his time in that format from 2013 to 2014. He never had the opportunity to play in T20 internationals. In his Test career, Pujara amassed 7,195 runs, including 19 centuries, 35 half-centuries, and 3 double centuries.