In an age dominated by the fast-paced thrill of T20 cricket, Cheteshwar Pujara stood as a beacon of patience and resilience in Test cricket. Born on January 25, 1988, in Rajkot, Gujarat, Pujara’s journey to becoming one of India’s most reliable middle-order batsmen was shaped profoundly by his father, Arvind Pujara, a former first-class cricketer and coach whose unfulfilled dreams found realization through his son.
Pujara burst onto the domestic scene with Saurashtra in 2005, showcasing consistent performances that earned him a Test debut against Australia in 2010. As legends like Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman neared retirement, Pujara filled the void with his rock-solid technique. Nicknamed the ‘Wall’ after Dravid, he mastered the art of occupying the crease, frustrating bowlers with his unyielding defense.
From 2010 to 2023, Pujara was instrumental in India’s Test triumphs at home and abroad. His heroic 521 runs in the 2018-19 Australia series, including gritty knocks in Adelaide and Melbourne, were pivotal in securing India’s first-ever Border-Gavaskar Trophy retention Down Under. Memorable innings like his 206 against England in Ahmedabad, 153 in Johannesburg against South Africa, and a marathon 202 off 525 balls in Ranchi defined his legacy.
Across 103 Tests and 176 innings, Pujara amassed 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, including 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries, with a highest score of 206 not out. His county cricket stints further honed his skills. On August 24, 2025, he bid farewell to international cricket, leaving behind a testament to Test cricket’s enduring spirit amid the T20 revolution. Pujara’s story inspires a generation, proving that true greatness lies in steadfast commitment.
