Cheteshwar Pujara Retires: An Era of Dedication and Bravery Comes to a Close

At No. 3 in Test matches, Cheteshwar Pujara, who is frequently praised as India's steadfast pillar, has formally declared his retirement from all Indian cricket competitions, capping an incredible and determined international career. An honest social media post on August 24, 2025, announced the decision.

This is the third retirement of the indians legend after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's retirement from test cricket.

Honoring a Test Cricket Legend

From his 2010 debut until his final appearance at The Oval in June 2023 for the ICC World Test Championship Final, Pujara's career lasted more than ten years. He scored 7,195 runs at an average of roughly 43.6 in 103 Test matches, including 19 hundreds and 35 half-centuries, making him one of India's best run scorers in the longest format.

Pujara left behind an even more amazing impact in the home area. He led Saurashtra to several Ranji Trophy victories with an incredible 21,301 first-class runs, including 66 hundreds. Generations of people respected him because of his technique and patience, which made him a role model for courage.

His Farewell Words & Legacy

His message of retirement touched an emotional connection:

“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.”
 

Pujara emphasized that letting go now would enable the advancement of younger talent. The Times of India reports that his beautiful departure also drew attention to the fact that there was no official goodbye match, a custom that several Indian leaders, including Pujara, MS Dhoni, and Yuvraj Singh, were unable to participate in.

Tributes from the Cricketing World

The reaction was quick and sincere. Legends and former teammates showered tributes:

• Sachin Tendulkar spoke to him as "a pillar for the team," highlighting his composed demeanor when he entered at number three.
• During India's historic Gabba triumph, VVS Laxman praised his perseverance and described Pujara as a symbol of a fighting mentality.
• Virender Sehwag, Wasim Jaffer, Irfan Pathan, Sunil Gavaskar, Yuvraj Singh, and Ajinkya Rahane were among those who lauded his commitment, skill, and contribution to Test cricket.
• Meanwhile, Shashi Tharoor lamented that Pujara did not have a more respectable send-off worthy of his position.