Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara, born on January 25, 1988, is a former Indian cricketer who made significant contributions to the Indian national team over a remarkable thirteen-year career. Known for his disciplined and patient batting style, Pujara became an integral part of the Indian Test team, playing in over one hundred Test matches. He represented Saurashtra in domestic cricket and also played for Sussex in the English County Championship.

Pujara made his first-class debut for Saurashtra in December 2005 and stepped onto the international stage with his Test debut in October 2010. His early career saw him excel in the India A team, where he was the highest scorer during a tour of England in 2010. By October 2011, he was awarded a D grade national contract by the BCCI, solidifying his place in the cricketing landscape.

Throughout his career, Pujara was known for his sound technique and temperament, which made him a strong contender for the Indian middle order following the retirements of legends like Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman. His Test comeback against New Zealand in August 2012 was marked by a century, and he achieved his first double hundred against England in November 2012, followed by another against Australia in March 2013, both pivotal in steering India to victory.

In February 2017, Pujara set a new record for the most runs in an Indian first-class season, amassing one thousand six hundred and five runs. He also became one of the fastest batsmen to reach one thousand runs in Test cricket, achieving this milestone in just eleven matches. His accolades include winning the Emerging Cricketer of the Year in 2013 and breaking records for double centuries in first-class cricket.

Despite his illustrious career, Pujara faced challenges, including being dropped from the Indian National Team after the World Test Championship Final in 2023. He later joined the BBC Test Match Special commentary team in June 2025 and announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on August 24, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and excellence in the sport.