Cheteshwar Pujara, India’s renowned Test specialist, recently made a surprising choice when asked to name the greatest cricketer of the last 25 years. While cricket fans might have expected him to pick icons like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, or Sachin Tendulkar, Pujara took a different route. Instead of selecting one of the widely acknowledged legends of the game, he chose England’s star all-rounder, Ben Stokes.
In an interview with ESPNcricinfo, Pujara explained his decision by saying, “I would go with Ben Stokes. I would pick an all-rounder for this.” His reasoning reflects the value he places on versatility, and Stokes’s impact on modern cricket has certainly been extraordinary. Stokes’ contributions have been pivotal in defining some of England’s most memorable moments in recent history, such as their 2019 World Cup triumph and the thrilling Headingley Test win, not to mention his central role in the team’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ revolution.
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Stokes, who made his Test debut in 2013, has played 110 Test matches, amassing 6,719 runs at an average of 35.55. He has scored 13 centuries, with a highest score of 258, and has also been a formidable bowler, taking 210 wickets at an average of 32.37.
“I would go with Ben Stokes. I would pick an all-rounder for this,” Pujara said during the interaction with ESPNCricinfo.
The greatest cricketer of the last 25 years?
Cheteshwar Pujara answers 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/nFDBczHqnH
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) April 27, 2025
His best bowling performance is 6/22. In ODIs, Stokes has accumulated 3,463 runs from 114 matches, with 5 centuries and 74 wickets to his name, including a match-winning performance in the 2019 World Cup final. As for Cheteshwa Pujara, he is gearing up for India’s upcoming five-match Test series against England this summer, where he will look to make a strong comeback.
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Cheteswah Pujara last played for India in the 2023 World Test Championship final, where India suffered a defeat to Australia. His return to form will be crucial for India, who have faced challenges in their recent red-ball outings, including losses to New Zealand and Australia. Having represented India in 103 Tests, Pujara’s contribution has been invaluable, with 7,195 runs and 19 centuries to his name.
