Cheteshwar Pujara retires from all forms of Indian cricket

India’s dependable No. 3 batter Cheteshwar Pujara announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket on Sunday, drawing the curtains on a career that spanned more than a decade.

 

In a heartfelt social media post, the 37-year-old wrote: “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.” 

A Test stalwart’s record

 

Pujara made his international debut in 2010 and went on to represent India in 103 Tests and 5 ODIs. He scored 7,195 runs in Tests at an average of 43.60, with 19 centuries and 35 fifties.

 

For years, Pujara was the backbone of India’s batting line-up, particularly in Test cricket, where his resilience, patience, and ability to grind down bowlers made him indispensable. His final appearance came in the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in June 2023. 

Pujara's international batting career
Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Balls faced	Highest score	Average	Strike Rate	Not out	Fours	Sixes	Fifties	Hundreds	Double hundreds
Test	103	176	7195	16217	206	43.61	44.37	11	863	16	35	19	3
ODI	5	5	51	130	27	10.2	39.24	0	4	0	0	0	0
T20	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
IPL	30	22	390	391	51	20.53	99.75	3	50	4	1	0	0

   

Pujara Test records

  Pujara's Test runs against Test-playing countries'   

  Dominance against Australia

 

Pujara has been India’s mainstay against Australia, amassing 2074 runs in 25 matches at an average of 49.38. With five centuries and 11 fifties, including a highest score of 204, he has been the bedrock of India’s famous overseas successes, particularly the 2018–19 series. His strike rate of 42.3 reflects his patient approach, soaking up deliveries (4903 balls faced) to blunt hostile attacks.

 

Solid contributions against England

 

In 27 Tests versus England, Pujara scored 1778 runs with five hundreds. His average of 39.51 is slightly below his career mean, reflecting struggles with seaming conditions. Yet, his 206 at Ahmedabad in 2012* remains one of his finest knocks.

 

Proficiency in subcontinental conditions

 

Pujara has flourished against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. In just five Tests against Bangladesh, he averages 78, including a highest of 102 and five half-centuries*, showing his dominance on turning tracks. Against Sri Lanka, his record is outstanding: 743 runs in seven matches at a staggering 74.3 average with four centuries, proving his ability to convert starts into big scores.

 

Mixed returns against South Africa and New Zealand

 

South Africa’s pace-heavy conditions have tested Pujara, where he averages 30.41 across 17 matches. Similarly, against New Zealand, he averages 39.4 from 12 Tests, with two centuries. These figures underline his vulnerability in conditions with pronounced seam and bounce.

       

Cheteshwar Pujara’s runs against each Test playing nation
Country	Span	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	BF	SR	100s	50s	0s	4s	6s
vs Afghanistan	2018-2018	1	1	0	35	35	35	52	67.3	0	0	0	6	0
vs Australia	2010-2023	25	45	3	2074	204	49.38	4903	42.3	5	11	4	228	4
vs Bangladesh	2017-2022	5	8	2	468	102*	78	812	57.63	1	5	0	59	1
vs England	2012-2022	27	49	4	1778	206*	39.51	4090	43.47	5	7	3	225	2
vs New Zealand	2012-2021	12	23	1	867	159	39.4	2061	42.06	2	4	1	108	3
vs South Africa	2010-2022	17	29	0	882	153	30.41	2060	42.81	1	6	3	123	5
vs Sri Lanka	2015-2017	7	11	1	743	153	74.3	1491	49.83	4	1	1	76	1
vs West Indies	2013-2019	9	10	0	348	113	34.8	748	46.52	1	1	0	38	0

  Pujara's Test record in SENA counrties 

1. Australia (2014–2021)

 

Matches: 11 | Innings: 21 | Runs: 993

Average: 47.28 | 100s: 3 | 50s: 5 | HS: 193

 

• Australia was Pujara’s most successful overseas hunting ground.
• He scored 3 centuries and 5 fifties, including the iconic 2018–19 series where his marathon knocks (521 runs in the series) were instrumental in India’s first-ever Test series win in Australia.
• His average of 47.28 in Australia is better than his overall Test average.

 

2. England (2014–2023)

 

Matches: 16 | Innings: 32 | Runs: 870

Average: 29.0 | 100s: 1 | 50s: 5 | HS: 132*

• England proved the toughest venue for Pujara, with his average dipping below 30.
• Despite a few fighting fifties, he managed only one century in 9 years (132* at Southampton in 2018).
• His defensive style was often tested by swing and seam, leading to inconsistent returns.

3. South Africa (2010–2022)

 

Matches: 10 | Innings: 19 | Runs: 535

Average: 28.15 | 100s: 1 | 50s: 3 | HS: 153

• South Africa was another difficult venue, with an average just above 28.
• However, his century (153 at Johannesburg in 2013) remains one of his finest knocks in hostile conditions against a world-class pace attack.

4. New Zealand (2014–2020)

 

Matches: 4 | Innings: 8 | Runs: 160

Average: 20.0 | 100s: 0 | 50s: 1 | HS: 54

 

• New Zealand was Pujara’s least productive SENA country.
• Across 4 tours, he managed just 160 runs, with one half-century.
• His average of 20 reflects his struggles against seam-friendly conditions and sharp swing.

   

Pujara’s record outside India
Span	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	BF	SR	100s	50s	0s	4s	6s
in Australia 2014-2021	11	21	0	993	193	47.28	2657	37.37	3	5	2	105	2
in Bangladesh 2022-2022	2	4	1	222	102*	74	400	55.5	1	1	0	27	0
in England 2014-2023	16	32	2	870	132*	29	2270	38.32	1	5	2	119	0
in India 2010-2023	51	80	7	3839	206*	52.58	7775	49.37	10	20	5	472	12
in New Zealand 2014-2020	4	8	0	160	54	20	534	29.96	0	1	0	15	1
in South Africa 2010-2022	10	19	0	535	153	28.15	1351	39.6	1	3	2	77	0
in Sri Lanka 2015-2017	4	6	1	454	153	90.8	856	53.03	3	0	1	40	1
in West Indies 2016-2019	5	6	0	122	46	20.33	374	32.62	0	0	0	8	0