One of India’s best Test batsmen, Cheteshwar Pujara, ended his remarkable career on Sunday. The 37-year-old, who participated in the final 103 Test matches in 2023, announced the news on social media.
“As a little boy from the small town of Rajkot, along with my parents, I set out to aim for the stars; and dreamt to be a part of the Indian cricket team. Little did I know then that this game would give me so much – invaluable opportunities, experiences, purpose, love, and above all a chance to represent my state and this great nation.
“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,” said Pujara in a heartfelt note.
Given that the team’s two other mainstays, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, bid farewell to Test cricket prior to the England tour earlier this year, the decision to retire was not wholly unexpected.
Pujara ranks eighth among India’s all-time top scorers with 7195 runs at an average of 43.60. He also scored 21301 runs in first-class cricket.
Pujara was slated to play for Saurashtra in the upcoming domestic season, but the champion batter felt that it was time to move on.
“We were hoping he would play the upcoming season but we respect his decision. What a legend he has been for Saurashtra and Indian cricket. Alongside Ravindra Jadeja, Pujara is the biggest cricketer to have come out of Saurashtra and we can’t thank him enough for his contribution to the game in the region.
“I would have loved to see him say goodbye from the ground but it his call and we wish him all the best,” Saurashtra Cricket Association president Jaydev Shah told PTI.
