The narrative of Cheteshwar Pujara reads like a throwback to cricket’s purist roots. In a T20-saturated landscape, his unwavering loyalty to Test cricket carved a unique niche. Born in Rajkot on January 25, 1988, Pujara’s path was illuminated by his father Arvind, whose first-class experience and coaching acumen turned a young dreamer into a Test stalwart.
Pujara’s domestic exploits with Saurashtra from 2005 culminated in a 2010 Test debut versus Australia, coinciding with the twilight of Dravid and Laxman’s eras. He didn’t just replace them; he redefined resilience, earning the ‘Wall’ moniker for his crease occupation prowess.
Over 13 years, Pujara anchored India’s Test campaigns globally. His 2018-19 Australian odyssey—521 runs across four Tests—proved decisive for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Standout gems: 206 not out in Ahmedabad, 153 in Johannesburg, 202 in Ranchi, and dual fifties in Adelaide. In 2021, Sydney’s 77 and Brisbane’s 56 sealed epic chases.
In 103 Tests, he scored 7,195 runs at 43.60, laced with 19 tons and 35 fifties, peaking at 206*. County triumphs bolstered his reputation. Announcing retirement on August 24, 2025, Pujara exits as Test cricket’s quiet guardian, his legacy a bulwark against fleeting formats.