Cheteshwar Pujara

Rahane urges BCCI to revamp selector process, Pujara in partial agreement

India batter Ajinkya Rahane has proposed radical changes in the appointment of selectors, particularly at the domestic level, saying only recently retired first-class players should be entrusted with picking teams as they are more likely to keep pace with changing nature of the game. Currently, any cricketer with 10-match first-class experience can apply for being a state selector and should have retired at least five years ago. Beyond the set parameters, Rahane said it's important that selectors' mindset and approach match the current pace of cricket. "Players should not be scared of selectors. I want to talk about selectors, especially in domestic cricket. We should have selectors who have retired recently from playing top-flight cricket, those who have retired five-six years, seven-eight years ago," Rahane said during an interaction with one-time teammate Cheteshwar Pujara on the former's Youtube channel. "Because the way cricket is evolving, I think it's very important that the

Hail 'The Che': Pujara, man of steel who scored runs with context

Cheteshwar Pujara never had a cover drive like Virat Kohli. Neither he took your breath away with a falling hook shot like Rishabh Pant nor did he play a short-arm pull with the finesse of Rohit Sharma that could send the fans into raptures. But in the era of uber-stylish batters, Pujara was that glue that held the Indian batting together for a decade between 2013-14 till 2023 over a period of 100 plus Test matches. His contribution to Indian cricket is not measured in sixes or strike-rates, but in time, grit, and unyielding defiance against the world's best attacks. If Virat Kohli was the structure of the beautiful edifice that was Indian Test batting, Cheteshwar Pujara was definitely the foundation. Those who swore by the virtue of patience that Test cricket always stood for, Pujara was that slice from the bygone days when T20 wasn't even an idea. An obsessed father Arvind, a small time first-class cricketer with limited means but with big dreams, and a mother, who was a silent

Plan was going for week: Pujara explains decision behind retirement

Pujara, 37, revealed that his retirement wasn't a sudden decision. Instead, it was a week-long process of contemplation and discussion with family members and senior players.

Indian cricket lauds Pujara's grit: 'Stood tall when the storm raged'

Cheteshwar Pujara's retirement on Sunday evoked an outpouring of admiration from the cricketing fraternity with former teammates and coaches saluting his grit, determination and selflessness that defined his Test career. Pujara, who played 103 Tests and scored 7195 runs at an average of 43.60, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, drawing curtains on a career that epitomised resilience in the longest format. "He stood tall when the storm raged, he fought when hope was fading. Congratulations Pujji," India head coach Gautam Gambhir wrote on X. Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh lauded Pujara's commitment to the national team. "Someone who always put his mind, body and soul for the country! Many congratulations on an outstanding career Puji! See you on the other side!," wrote Yuvraj. Former India batter VVS Laxman recalled the defining moment of Pujara's career, the series-clinching Test at the Gabba in 2021, when he endured several body blows. "From the time I fir

Cheteshwar Pujara retires: A look at his five greatest Test knocks

Cheteshwar Pujara retires after 103 Tests. From Adelaide 2018 to Colombo 2015, here are his five greatest Test innings that defined India's No.3.

Cheteshwar Pujara retires from all forms of Indian cricket

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.

How to dismiss Pujara was all we discussed in dressing room: Rohit Sharma

he Saurashtra batter's unshakeable presence at the crease made him a nightmare to bowl to and an immovable object for any opposition

Shubman Gill should keep batting and captaincy separate: Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara also backed Rishabh Pant as vice-captain despite his lean T20 form, citing his strong Test performances in England

IPL 2025: Pujara questions CSK's pitch strategy after Fleming's remark

Indian Test legend Cheteshwar Pujara believes that Chennai Super Kings is "one franchise" that has always prepared tracks at the Chepauk as per its strengths and hence finds it difficult to digest head coach Stephen Fleming's comment of "not having any home advantage". CSK suffered their heaviest home defeat while chasing, losing by 50 runs to Rajat Patidar-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Pujara, who was with the franchise for a season in 2021, also indicated that CSK middle-order comprising Deepak Hooda, Shivam Dube, Sam Curran and Mahendra Singh Dhoni might have to shoulder more responsibility. "... at CSK, you can't complain. It's one franchise where they've been preparing pitches according to their strengths. If he's (Fleming) saying that [there is no home advantage, they don't have a say, then I'm quite surprised," Pujara told ESPNCricinfo. Pujara said that the legacy franchises like Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders always get what they want in te

Bangar and Gupta believe players should follow example of Rahane and Pujara

Bangar said that Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane have demonstrated their commitment by continuing to perform at the domestic level

Boxing Day Test: Pujara highlights Starc's Impact, India's bowling concerns

India's senior batter Cheteshwar Pujara provided a detailed analysis of Mitchell Starc's performance and raised concerns about India's bowling strength ahead of the crucial India vs Australia 4th Test

IND vs AUS 3rd Test: Rohit should focus on first 20 runs, says Pujara

In the eight matches played in Australia, Rohit Sharma scored 417 runs at an average of 27.8. He managed to score only 3 and 6 in two innings in Pink Ball Test

Kohli to Iyer: Top 5 highest run-getters for Team India in pink-ball Tests

Rohit Sharma follows closely with 173 runs in three matches, averaging 43.25. Known for his aggressive approach

IND vs AUS: Need better footwork while playing with pink ball, says Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara wants Shubman Gill to play at number five, allowing KL Rahul to bat at number three spot

Sachin Tendulkar to Dravid: Top five knocks by Indian batters in Australia

The God of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, holds the record for India's highest Test score in Australia with a brilliant 241 not out innings in 2004

Srinath to Pant: Watch Indian stars in Australia since 1991| IND vs AUS

From Sachin Tendulkar's batting masterclass to Rishabh Pant's dare-to-fight attitude, let us revisit how Australia's gruelling conditions forged India's brightest Test stars.

AUS vs IND Tests: Squad announcement on Oct 28; Pujara, Reddy in contention

India probable squad for Australia tour: Pujara might return to Indian team while Nitish Reddy could be a seam all-rounder. Mayank Yadav, Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana might travel with the team

Vihari believes Pujara was biggest reason behind India's Test wins in Aus

Hanuma Vihari, part of India's back to back series wins in Australia, reckons the services of veteran batter Cheteshwar Pujara will be be dearly missed when the team aims for a hat-trick Down Under later this year. The five Test series begins in Perth from November 22. Out of favour Pujara was the leading run-getter in the 2018-19 series with 521 off 1258 balls and was once again the backbone of Indian batting three years later when he accumulated 271 runs off 928 balls. Across the two teams, the 103-Test veteran by far faced the number of balls to wear out the opposition attack comprising Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. As another Border-Gavaskar Trophy is on the horizon, Vihari wondered who can play Pujara's role this time around. "Pujara will a big miss. he was the backbone of the batting line-up in the last two series for Team India. He took blows, he batted time, he stayed there for a long time, he saw the new ball, he got runs. He made the job easier for the .

Ranji Trophy: Pujara scores 63rd first-class ton; Saurashtra in command

Seasoned Cheteshwar Pujara struck his 63rd first-class century while Prerak Mankad and Arpit Vasavada also registered hundreds to give Saurashtra a 387-run first innings lead against Manipur here on Saturday. In reply, Manipur, who where bowled out for 142 in their first essay on Friday, were reeling at 55 for 3 at stumps on second day, still trailing by 332 runs. Resuming the day at 153/3, Saurashtra's stand-in skipper Vasavada (148) and all-rounder Mankad (173) took the Manipur bowling attack to the cleaners, while sharing a 152-run stand for the fourth wicket. Coming in at number 6, Pujara (108 off 105 deliveries), known for his defensive style of play, showcased his class once again smashing less than a run-a-ball century, his 63rd in first class cricket. The 36-year-old hit 12 fours and a six in his unusual knock. Pujara, who is eyeing a return to the Indian Test team, is enjoying a good Ranji season, having already notched up an unbeaten double hundred against Jharkand and

IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Kumble feels Gill has got cushion that Pujara didn't

Former India captain Anil Kumble feels that the embattled Shubman Gill has been given the kind of "cushion" that veteran Cheteshwar Pujara never got and the young batter needs to make it count in the second Test against England or risk being under tremendous pressure. The 24-year-old Gill has not scored a half century in his last 11 Test innings. He scored a 128 in India's first innings against visiting Australian in Ahmedabad in March last year, but after that his highest score has been 36. He made 23 and 0 in the two innings of the first Test against England here, which India lost by 28 runs on Sunday. "He (Gill) has been given the cushion perhaps even a Cheteshwar Pujara didn't get, although he (Pujara) has played over a 100 Tests," Kumble said on 'JioCinema'. "I keep coming back to him (Pujara) mainly because that was his place (No 3) not too long ago. Pujara played in that World Test Championship final and post that, it's been Shubman Gill, who's been moving from the opener's