Board of control for cricket in India (BCCI) congratulated Cheteshwar Pujara on a tremendous career stint with solid perseverance, endurance and the sheer commitment to play test cricket.
The retirement of Pujara ended one of the most legendary periods in the Indian cricket world, which was characterised by elegant batting, extreme concentration, and the capability to calm India at bad times. It introduced the qualities of stability, steadiness and the self-assurance of a player of whom nobody would doubt his commitment.
Pujara played his first Test against Australia in 2010 and went on to participate in 103 Tests, scoring 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, including 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries. While his tremendous achievements are evident in the numbers, the true value of a player like Pujara lies in his ability to withstand pressure, prevent elite shots, and act as a pillar in the team’s most hard-fought victories. Moreover, by maintaining the values of stubbornness and diligence while adapting to the modern demands of the sport, he bridged the gap between cricketing cultures.
At home, his centuries helped strengthen India’s bastion, and abroad, his resilience proved that the team could believe no-win situations were, in fact, winnable. Notably, his most remarkable home performances include 92 against Australia in Bengaluru in 2017, 206* against England in Ahmedabad in 2012, and double centuries of 204 and 202 against Australia in Hyderabad and Ranchi in 2017.
Pujara: Epitome of Perseverance in Test Cricket
He stood like a rock in away Tests, which were frequently played under the most trying circumstances. He scored 521 runs and faced over 1200 balls in the renowned 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, helping India win its first-ever series there. When he batted for almost 11 hours in the first Test match in Adelaide, he had made his intentions very apparent. The groundwork for India’s historic victory at the Gabba was built by his 56 at Brisbane in 2021 on the subsequent tour, where he faced a torrent of hostile bowling and demonstrated his bravery and perseverance.
According to BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia:
“Cheteshwar Pujara’s career is a shining example of perseverance and selflessness. He personified the spirit of Test cricket. His ability to grind opposition attacks and his immense powers of concentration made him the bulwark of India’s batting. He showed that it was possible to succeed at the highest level while staying true to traditional values of the game. His commitment to Indian cricket, both at the international and domestic level, has been outstanding. We thank him for everything he has given to the game and to the country.”
