‘All good things must come to an end’: Cheteshwar Pujara retires from all forms of cricket

Cheteshwar Pujara, one of India’s most successful defensive batsmen, has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

 

The 37-year-old made the announcement in a social media post on Sunday.

 

“Wearing the Indian jersey, singing the anthem, and trying my best each time I stepped on the field - it’s impossible to put into words what it truly meant. But as they say, all good things must come to an end, and with immense gratitude, I have decided to retire from all forms of Indian cricket,” Pujara wrote on X.

 

Pujara is India’s eighth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket. He scored 7,195 runs—including 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries—from 103 matches with an average of 43.60.

 

Pujara made his debut in Test cricket in 2010 against Australia. His highest score was an impressive 206. He also amassed 21,301 runs in first-class cricket.

 

"As a little boy from the small town of Rajkot, along with my parents, I set out to aim for the stars; and dreamt to be a part of the Indian cricket team. Little did I know then that this game would give me so much - invaluable opportunities, experiences, purpose, love, and above all a chance to represent my state and this great nation,” he said in the post.

 

The cricketer thanked the BCCI and Saurashtra Cricket Association for the opportunity and support throughout his career. HE also expressed gratitude to the teams, franchises and counties he had represented over the years.

 

“I wouldn’t have made it this far without the invaluable guidance of my mentors, coaches and spiritual guru – to them I shall always remain indebted,” he said.

 

Pujara’s decision to retire came two months after two other stalwarts—Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma—called time on their Test careers in May.

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