Hang in there, hang in there, hang in there, then you become a Pujara !

The last true test batter !

Cheteshwar Pujara: From Rajkot’s Quiet Streets to Test Cricket’s Bedrock

Born on 25 January 1988 in Rajkot, Gujarat, Cheteshwar Arvind Pujara’s cricketing DNA came from his father Arvind and uncle Bipin—both Ranji players—who nurtured his game from a tender age. He picked up the leather ball at age 13, and just a few years later, his raw talent became evident on the global stage.

At the 2006 Under‑19 World Cup, young Pujara didn’t just bat—he dominated. Leading run‑scorer with 349 runs from six innings at a staggering average of ~117, earning himself the Man of the Tournament award. Imagine a kid in a small Gujarati town scoring that heavily—he was Rajkot’s answer to a future No. 3 wall.

Domestic & County Career: The Making of a Marathon Batter

Pujara’s first-class debut for Saurashtra came in December 2005, and over the years he turned into a domestic colossus. His FC stats? A breathtaking 21,301 runs at an average of 51.82, including 66 centuries and one top score of 352—numbers that cemented his status as a titan of domestic red‑ball cricket.

He piled up triple centuries—302*, 352, and 306*—even achieving three such mammoths in a single month—rare territory!. He also toured England: Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Sussex—becoming a dependable red‑ball bruiser overseas as well.

International Career: Stone-walling at No. 3

Test Debut & Breakthrough

Pujara debuted in Tests vs. Australia in Bangalore in October 2010, slotting into No. 3 in place of Rahul Dravid. He scored a plucky 72 in his second innings—steady beginnings for a steady operator.

Fast forward to August 2012, and he knocks a strong 159 against New Zealand at Hyderabad—his first Test century. Then came the big one: an unbeaten 206 against England in Ahmedabad soon after—his first double ton.

Cementing His Place

Pujara became one of India’s fastest players to 1,000 Test runs—achieved in just 11 matches (or 18 innings)—second only to Vinod Kambli among Indians.

In South Africa (2013), he topped India’s batting charts in the Test series, scoring 280 at an average of 70—showing he could perform in tough foreign conditions.

And then, India’s historical breakthrough in Australia in 2018–19: Pujara amassed 521 runs in seven innings at an unforgettable average, earning the Player of the Series award.

The Long Innings Specialist

Pujara’s approach was best measured not just by runs, but by time. He faced a staggering 16,217 balls in his Test career—absorbing nearly 33.2% of deliveries India faced in his innings. A proper energy‑drainer for bowlers.

And between 2010–2023, he featured in 103 Tests, scoring 7,195 runs at 43.60, with 19 centuries and 35 fifties—Test cricket being his true calling, as his 5 ODI appearances (51 runs) suggest.

Australian Defeat: Pujara vs. The Aussies

Australia often found themselves wrestling with Pujara’s patience. In the historic 2018–19 series, he crafted marathon knocks—like 123 in Adelaide, and a monumental 193 in Sydney—turning Indian dreams into reality.

Alyssa Healy (Mitchell Starc’s wife) put it best: “he drained the energy of bowlers” with his relentless, unhurried style—which is the highest compliment for a batter built to toil.

Australia faced him twice (2018–19 and 2020–21); both times, India left with bragging rights, and Pujara with bulk tons of runs in the scoreboard—the epitome of a No. 3 import.

Retirement & Reflections: August 2025—End of an Era

On 24 August 2025, Pujara announced his retirement from all forms of cricket at age 37, writing that every time he wore the Indian jersey, “it’s impossible to put into words what it truly meant”. Tributes poured in from legends like Tendulkar, Ashwin, Rahane, Kumble—calling him a “modern‑day Test match warrior”.

He leaves Test cricket with 7,195 runs from 103 matches (43.60 average, 19 centuries) and a dazzling domestic legacy of 21,301 runs and 66 centuries across first‑class cricket.

There are no regrets—he’s stepping into commentary or coaching, passing the torch with unshakable grace.

Stats at a Glance: The Pujara Scorecard

Format	Matches	Runs	Average	100s / 50s	Notes
Test (Intl)	103	7,195	43.60	19 / 35	2,017 deliveries; key role in Australia wins
ODI (Intl)	5	51	10.20	0 / 0	Limited-overs was never his canvas
First‑class (FC)	~278	21,301	51.82	66 / 81	Triple centuries; domestic legend
Balls Faced (Test)	–	–	–	–	16,217 balls faced—33.2% of innings deliveries

(Note: first-class matches total as per March 2025; includes domestic and county stints)

Final Thoughts: The Wall That Never Wavered

Cheteshwar Pujara’s career was like one of Hyderabad's finest biryanis—slow-cooked, layered, rich in technique and endurance. He wasn’t about flashy boundaries or quick runs. He was the steady flame that burned long, tiring the opposition into submission.

As opponents admired and often dreaded his grit—especially those red-white-blues across the seas—the rest of us, the fans and young cricketers, watched a masterclass in patience. His retirement isn't just a farewell—it's the closing chapter to a noble art of batting: grit, solidity, and silent dominance.

From Rajkot dreams to Test match warrior, Pujara’s journey reminds us: sometimes the deepest impact is made, not by speed, but by the endurance of character—and the courage to stay at the crease when others falter.

If you want to become a Pujara, just hang in there !