On August 24, 2025, Indian cricket bid farewell to one of its most dependable soldiers — Cheteshwar Pujara. Known as India’s “Wall 2.0” after Rahul Dravid, Pujara has been the embodiment of patience, resilience, and classical Test match batting. His retirement from international cricket is not just the end of a career; it is the closing of a chapter that defined grit, determination, and old-school values in an era of fast-paced cricket.
As the nation reflects on his contribution, it becomes clear that Pujara’s journey is more than numbers — it’s about the attitude and character he brought to Indian cricket.
The Rise of Cheteshwar Pujara
Pujara made his Test debut in Bangalore, 2010 against Australia, stepping into the big shoes of Rahul Dravid. From the very beginning, his technique and temperament stood out. While many modern batsmen looked for flashy strokes, Pujara built his career on patience, defense, and discipline.
- Early Career: He replaced legends like Dravid and Laxman, proving that India still had players who valued the art of batting long.
- Domestic Grind: Before cementing his spot in Team India, Pujara piled up runs in domestic cricket with unmatched consistency. His hunger for big scores was evident in Ranji Trophy, where he often scored double and triple centuries.
- Test Regular: By 2012–13, Pujara was India’s go-to man at No. 3, trusted to anchor the innings whenever the team needed stability.
The Numbers That Define Pujara
- Matches: 103 Tests
- Runs: 7,195
- Average: 43.60
- Centuries: 19
- Half-Centuries: 35
But beyond these numbers, what Pujara truly offered was time at the crease. He became India’s shield against the world’s best fast bowlers.
Pujara’s Finest Hour: The Australia 2018–19 Series
If there’s one series that immortalized Pujara, it was the 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
- He scored 521 runs in 4 Tests, including 3 centuries.
- He batted more than 1,200 deliveries, wearing down bowlers like Starc, Hazlewood, and Cummins.
- His marathon knocks gave Virat Kohli’s India the platform to register a historic first Test series win in Australia.
- For his heroics, Pujara was named Player of the Series.
This series will always be remembered as Pujara’s legacy — a perfect reminder of why Test cricket still values patience and determination.
The Role He Played in Team India
Pujara was often criticized for his slow scoring rate, especially in an era dominated by T20 cricket. But his teammates and coaches knew his true worth.
- He gave stability to India’s batting order.
- He allowed stroke-makers like Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant to play freely around him.
- His ability to tire out bowlers shifted momentum in India’s favor, especially in overseas tours.
As Ravi Shastri once said, “Pujara is the warrior you need in Test cricket — the one who may not look flashy, but wins you battles.”
Why Pujara Decided to Retire
In his retirement note, Pujara admitted that he felt there was “little point in continuing” since opportunities in the Indian team had become limited. With youngsters like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad stepping up, the team is clearly looking to build a future-oriented batting line-up.
At 37, Pujara realized it was the right time to step away and make space for the next generation.
Tributes Pour In
The cricketing world reacted emotionally to Pujara’s retirement:
- Anil Kumble: “A true ambassador of Test cricket. Pujara’s contribution to Indian cricket is immense.”
- Virat Kohli: “Many of my best overseas wins are because Pujara held one end strong. A fighter, a teammate, a brother.”
- Fans on Social Media: Hashtags like #ThankYouPujara and #TheWall2.0 trended within hours of the announcement.
What Indian Cricket Loses
With Pujara gone, India loses:
- A specialist No. 3 batsman who could grind bowling attacks.
- A mentor figure for youngsters learning the value of patience.
- A defensive wall that gave India’s middle order confidence.
Test cricket, in particular, will feel his absence deeply.
The Future Without Pujara
Indian cricket now looks to the younger generation. Players like:
- Shubman Gill – Elegant, attacking, but still learning to master long innings.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal – Aggressive left-hander who has shown maturity at a young age.
- Ruturaj Gaikwad & Sarfaraz Khan – Consistent domestic performers waiting for their big chance.
The challenge for them will be to balance modern aggression with traditional patience, something Pujara mastered over years.
Pujara’s Legacy: More Than Just Runs
What makes Pujara special is not just his statistics but his philosophy of batting. He proved that in an age of instant gratification, patience and hard work still win matches.
His legacy will inspire future cricketers to:
- Respect the longer format.
- Value discipline and mental toughness.
- Understand that cricket is not only about strike rates, but also about character.
End of an Era, Start of Another
Cheteshwar Pujara’s retirement closes a chapter in Indian cricket history. He will be remembered as the silent warrior, the man who fought the toughest battles for India without seeking the spotlight.
As the next generation of Indian cricketers prepares to take charge, Pujara’s story will remain a guiding light — reminding them that cricket is not only about power and glamour, but also about courage, discipline, and perseverance.
Thank you, Cheteshwar Pujara — the Wall 2.0 of Indian cricket.