Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar Lead Tributes to Cheteshwar Pujara
Indian cricket’s ultimate wall, Cheteshwar Pujara, has called time on his illustrious Test career, and two of the game’s biggest legends Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar have paid glowing tributes to the man who became India’s backbone in red-ball cricket for over a decade.
Pujara, who last represented India in the World Test Championship Final 2023, officially announced his retirement on Sunday. Across 103 Tests, the 37-year-old piled up 7,195 runs, including 19 centuries, at an average of 43.60 cementing his place as one of India’s finest Test specialists between 2012 and 2022.
Pujara’s Defining Role in Historic Australia Triumph
The highlight of Pujara’s career came during the iconic 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he amassed 521 runs across seven innings. His resilience and match-winning knocks ended India’s long wait for a Test series win Down Under.
Sachin Tendulkar, recalling that series, said Pujara’s contributions were irreplaceable.
“It was always reassuring to see you walk out at No. 3. You brought calm, courage, and a deep love for Test cricket every time you played,” Tendulkar wrote on social media.
“The 2018 series win in Australia wouldn’t have been possible without your incredible resilience and match-winning runs. Congratulations on a wonderful career. Enjoy your second innings!”
Gavaskar: “Take a Bow, Cheteshwar”
Sunil Gavaskar, another Indian batting legend, hailed Pujara as an “old-school cricketer” who always put the team first. Praising his grit and fearlessness, Gavaskar said:
“One of the old-school cricketers who put India above everything else. He took endless blows for Indian cricket but never took a backward step. Hopefully, Indian cricket will use his expertise to inspire young cricketers that whatever they become is because of Indian cricket. Take a bow, Cheteshwar you have made India proud.”
The Unsung Hero of Gabba 2021
Beyond the 2018 triumph, Pujara played a heroic role in India’s unforgettable victory at the Gabba in January 2021. Facing the hostile pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, he absorbed brutal blows on his body but refused to give in. His gritty 56 off 211 deliveries blunted Australia’s attack, creating the platform for Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant to script a historic series-clinching win.
A Monumental Domestic Legacy
While his international feats made headlines, Pujara also dominated domestic cricket like few others. In 278 first-class matches, he amassed a staggering 21,301 runs at an average of 51.82, including 66 centuries and 81 fifties. His career-best knock of 352 remains a testament to his unmatched endurance and mastery of the long format.
Cheteshwar Pujara may not have always been in the limelight, but his grit, patience, and unwavering dedication have etched his name among India’s greatest Test warriors.
