Cheteshwar Pujara: The Wall That Stood Tall, Now Retires

Jan 28, 2012, the date when the wall of the cricket Rahul Dravid retired from test cricket. It was a heartbreak for many cricket fans. The guy who stood there for India, ball after ball, year after year, was suddenly gone. And the first thought in everyone’s head was, who now? Who is going to take that place? Who’s going to stand like a shield when we are 20/2 on a green pitch?

Nobody had a clear answer, but a player had already made their debut by that time. Cheteshwar Puraja, who made his first appearance in 2010. He had quietly walked into the national team, where Dravid was also a part of the team. He wasn’t the loud type, not the flashy kind, but when he made a half-century on debut against Australia, you could just sense this guy had something. And now, when we review the past, it almost feels like a transfer of responsibility.

And now, in 2025, the circle is complete. Pujara has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The big Indian team cricket news. The man who was called the new wall, who stood tall for India when it mattered, finally puts the bat down. 

Read his career journey in today’s Khelostar News Story:

Cheteshwar Pujara’s Career 

Pujara was born in Rajkot. Just like many Indian kids, he used to play cricket all day. Since his father, Arvind Pujara, was also a Ranji cricketer, the environment of the house was cricket-friendly. 

But still, just talent is not enough, right? It was his discipline and hours and hours of batting that shaped him. He was the kind who could bat all day, even as a teenager.

He came into the limelight in Under-19 cricket, where he scored heavily, including a double hundred that made people sit up. For Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy, he just kept piling runs. And selectors love consistency, so in 2010, he finally got his India cap. His debut Test was at Bangalore against Australia. 

He scored 72 runs in the 2nd inning. Not flashy, but classy. India even won that game, and suddenly, people started whispering about this special party.

And truly, after Dravid’s retirement in 2012, it was Pujara who became India’s backbone in Tests. Whenever wickets fell, whenever the pitch was tough, he was the guy standing there. Not moving, not panicking, just staying. That’s why people called him the new wall.

Indian Cricket Team News: Squad Announced for Asia Cup 2025 

Pujara in Test Cricket

Pujara and Test cricket were made for each other. Across his career, he played 103 Tests and scored 7195 runs. His highest inning was  206 not out in Ahmedabad against England. That innings was pure Pujara – patience, grit, and zero hurry. He batted so long that you could almost get bored watching, but then you realise, this is exactly what India needed. That match India won by 9 wickets, and his double century was the backbone.

What made him special was his style. He wasn’t trying to smash sixes or dominate bowlers. He just stayed there, blocked, left, defended, and slowly wore down the opposition. Bowlers got frustrated bowling at him. I remember Pat Cummins once said how tiring it was to bowl to Pujara in Australia. And that’s why India won that historic 2018–19 series down under. He literally got hit on the body, on the helmet, but he didn’t back down.

In modern cricket, where everyone wants to score fast, Pujara was like an old-school hero. He could bat two days straight if needed. That’s why his teammates loved him, even if some fans found him “boring” to watch.

Puraja in Limited Overs Cricket

Now, here’s the truth – he was not built for limited overs game. Pujara’s slow, grinding style did not fit in ODIs or T20s where strike rate is everything. He tried, of course. He played 5 ODIs, but only managed 51 runs. That’s all. And in T20 internationals, he didn’t even get a chance.

And honestly, maybe that’s fine. He did not perform well in the limited overs, but in tests, no one was like him. 

More About Pujara – The Man and the Cricketer

Pujara not only impressed with his gameplay, but also his fans love his behaviour. No flashy scenes and no big celebrations. This player comes on the field, finishes his job, and leaves the field calmly. 

He also lived a simple life. No controversies, no big drama. He focused on cricket and family. In fact, his discipline was legendary. While others went for endorsements and limelight, Pujara just stayed in his lane.

Now with his retirement, it feels like the end of an era. India has many talented batsmen, but finding that kind of patience and toughness again, not easy. The team is trying its best to find his replacement, but has failed so far. 

Subscribe to Khelostar News to catch more such cricket-related news.