Gautam Gambhir offers heartfelt congratulations to Cheteshwar Pujara as he bids adieu to cricket
Cheteshwar Pujara Bids Farewell to Cricket after Remarkable Career
Cheteshwar Pujara, one of the most respected figures in Indian cricket, has announced his retirement from all forms of the game on August 24, 2025. Over the course of his illustrious career, Pujara has left an indelible mark on the sport, both at the domestic and international levels.
Pujara's journey began on October 9, 2010, when he made his international debut against Australia in Bengaluru. Since then, he has faced some of the toughest international cricket teams, including Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, West Indies, Zimbabwe, and Afghanistan.
In his Test career spanning 103 matches, Pujara finished as the eighth-highest run scorer for India, accumulating 7195 runs. His Test career average of 43.60 is a testament to his consistency, and he scored 19 hundreds and 35 half-centuries. His highest Test score of 206* was a remarkable display of grit and determination.
Apart from his international success, Pujara was also a domestic legend. In 278 first-class games, he scored an astounding 21,301 runs with an average of 51.82. He notched up 66 centuries and 81 half-centuries, with a best score of 352.
Pujara's retirement has been met with an outpouring of tributes from his fellow cricketers. Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer paid tribute to Pujara, calling him "first of his name, last of his kind" and congratulating him on his stellar career. Jaffer's tweet, posted on August 24, 2025, included a picture of Pujara in his India jersey.
Virender Sehwag hailed Pujara for his fabulous Test career, while Gautam Gambhir congratulated him on his retirement, stating that he stood tall during difficult times. Suresh Raina also extended his congratulations, praising Pujara's contributions to Indian cricket. Yuvraj Singh posted a message on his X handle, praising Pujara for putting his mind, body, and soul into his cricket for the country.
Venkatesh Prasad, another former Indian cricketer, congratulated Pujara on an outstanding career and wished him a happy second innings. In the 2018/19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Pujara top-scored with 521 runs in four matches, further cementing his place in Indian cricket history.
As Pujara hangs up his boots, he leaves behind a legacy that will be hard to match. His dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to the game have inspired countless young cricketers. His retirement marks the end of an era, but his impact on Indian cricket will be felt for years to come.
