Cheteshwar Pujara: dedication to Test cricket in the T20 era gave him a unique identity

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Going against the trend is never easy. The journey is lonely, and the path to success must be carved out through constant struggle. Cheteshwar Pujara’s career reflects this very truth.

In the era of fast-paced cricket, Pujara achieved remarkable success in Test cricket through patience and discipline. For nearly a decade, he remained one of India’s strongest pillars in the longest format. Due to his mental strength and ability to occupy the crease for long periods, Pujara earned the title of the second “The Wall” after Rahul Dravid.

Born on 25 January 1988 in Rajkot, Gujarat, Pujara’s cricketing journey was shaped largely by his father Arvind Pujara, a former first-class cricketer and coach. Although Arvind could not represent India himself, he fulfilled that dream through his son.

Pujara began his domestic career playing for Saurashtra and made his first-class debut in 2005. After consistent performances in domestic cricket for five years, he made his Test debut for India in 2010 against Australia. At that time, legends like Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman were nearing the end of their careers, and India was searching for reliable replacements. Pujara steadily secured his place and became a dependable member of the Test side.

Between 2010 and 2023, Pujara played a key role in India’s Test successes both at home and abroad. His performance in the 2018–19 Australia tour remains unforgettable. He scored 521 runs in four Tests, wearing down the Australian bowling attack and playing a decisive role in India’s historic Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory.

Some of Pujara’s finest innings include 206 against England in Ahmedabad (2012), 153 against South Africa in Johannesburg (2013), 202 against Australia in Ranchi (2017) off 525 balls, 123 and 71 in Adelaide (2018), and vital knocks of 77 in Sydney and 56 in Brisbane (2021).

In his career, Pujara played 103 Test matches, scoring 7,195 runs in 176 innings, including 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries, at an average of 43.60, with a highest score of 206 not out. He also found success in county cricket.

On 24 August 2025, Cheteshwar Pujara retired from international cricket. In the age of T20 cricket, he will always be remembered for his unwavering dedication to Test cricket.