On 24 August 2025, Indian cricket bid farewell to one of its most loyal warriors — Cheteshwar Pujara, the man often hailed as “The Wall 2.0.” For over a decade, he held India’s weak batting order together in the toughest of conditions, carrying forward the tradition of Rahul Dravid with his own brand of grit, patience, and strength.
As he steps away from all forms of cricket, let’s take a deep dive into his journey — from a talented early domestic star to India’s unshakable force in Test cricket, and his lasting legacy as the guardian of classical batting in the modern era.
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Early Days: From Rajkot to Team India
Born in Rajkot, Gujarat, on 25 January 1988, Cheteshwar Arvind Pujara grew up in a cricket-loving family. His father, Arvind, was a first-class cricketer, and young Pujara soon followed in his footsteps.
His talent was clear early on — in 2006, he was the leading run-scorer in the Under-19 World Cup, showing his ability to score heavily in long-format cricket.
That same determination and hunger for runs saw him dominate Indian domestic cricket, where he became the foundation of Saurashtra’s batting lineup.
Test Debut: Replacing a Legend
Pujara’s Test debut came in October 2010 against Australia at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. In a symbol of taking over the responsibility, he walked out to bat at No. 3 — the same position held by Rahul Dravid, India’s original Wall.
His smooth 72 on debut helped India chase down a tricky 207-run target. It was a sign of things to come: calm under pressure, calm by big moments, and always patient against bowlers.
Career Stats at a Glance
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 103 | 7,195 | 43.60 | 19 | 35 | 206* |
| ODIs | 5 | 51 | 10.20 | 0 | 0 | 27 |
| First-Class | 278 | 21,301 | 51.82 | 61 | 76 | 352 |
| List A | 119 | 4,584 | 44.08 | 11 | 32 | 158 |
| T20s | 71 | 1,364 | 25.24 | 0 | 8 | 86 |
Iconic Knocks That Defined Pujara
| Year | Opponent & Venue | Score | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Australia, Bengaluru | 72 | Debut innings, replacing Dravid at No. 3, helped India chase 207. |
| 2013 | South Africa, Johannesburg | 153 | Flourished on a seaming track against Steyn & co. |
| 2015 | Sri Lanka, Colombo (SSC) | 145* | Match-winning knock under pressure; saved his career. |
| 2017 | Australia, Ranchi | 202 | Faced 525 balls, longest innings by an Indian. |
| 2018-19 | Australia, Adelaide, Sydney | 521 runs in series | Player of the Series in India’s first-ever Test series win Down Under. |
| 2021 | Australia, Sydney & Brisbane | 50, 77, 56 | Took body blows, absorbed pressure, enabled historic 2-1 win. |
Domestic & First-Class Giant
If Pujara’s Test career was legendary, his domestic record was huge.
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First-Class Matches: 278
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Runs: 21,301
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Average: 51.82
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Centuries: 61
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Highest Score: 352
He was the main support of Saurashtra cricket, leading them to multiple Ranji Trophy victories. For nearly two decades, he carried his state side with the same strong will he showed for India.
The Farewell
On 24 August 2025, Pujara announced his retirement via social media, calling it the “greatest honor of his life” to wear the Indian jersey.
His exit comes in the wake of a generational shift, with legends like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin also stepping away from the international stage in the past year.
Legacy: The New Wall
Cheteshwar Pujara leaves behind a legacy that few can match:
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The man who ensured India remained competitive overseas.
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A batter who proved that in an age of instant runs, patience still wins Test matches.
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A role model for young cricketers who value discipline and temperament as much as flair.
As he moves into coaching, commentary, and mentoring, Pujara is expected to continue shaping Indian cricket with his insights and knowledge.
Conclusion
Cheteshwar Pujara may not have had the charisma of Virat Kohli or the flair of Rohit Sharma, but he showed something rarer — the strong bravery to fight for every run, every ball, every session.
From Bengaluru in 2010 to Brisbane in 2021, his story is one of toughness and hard work. In a cricketing world that often forgets the hard workers, Pujara reminded us that sometimes, survival itself is the greatest art.
As India’s New Wall walks away, he leaves behind not just records and numbers, but a philosophy — that cricket, especially Test cricket, is as much about patience and strength as it is about boundaries and sixes.
