The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) paid a fitting tribute to Cheteshwar Pujara on Sunday (August 24), celebrating one of his finest Test innings — the marathon 202 off 525 balls against Australia in Ranchi during the 2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The post came shortly after Pujara officially announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, bringing down the curtains on an illustrious career defined by resilience and grit.

Pujara retires with 7,195 runs from 103 Tests, decorated with 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries. Occupying the crucial number three spot, he was the wall India often leaned on to blunt the new ball and set the stage for the middle order. His patient batting and ability to wear down the best attacks earned him admiration not just in India, but across the cricketing world.
“One of Indian cricket’s most resolute and admired Test specialists, @cheteshwar1, has announced his retirement from all forms of the game. Relive one of his prolific knocks against Australia at Ranchi,” wrote the BCCI in their heartfelt social media post.
One of Indian cricket’s most resolute and admired Test specialists, @cheteshwar1, has announced his retirement from all forms of the game.
Relive one of his prolific knocks against Australia at Ranchi.#ThankYouPujji pic.twitter.com/1zb22SPWN6
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 24, 2025
Tributes poured in from teammates as well. Jasprit Bumrah shared on Instagram, “Cricket will miss you Pujji bhai. Wishing you success on your next chapter,” highlighting the immense respect Cheteshwar Pujara commanded in the dressing room. KL Rahul echoed similar sentiments, calling him the embodiment of “grit, patience, and class,” before wishing him well for life beyond cricket.
WATCH – Sanju Samson Smashes Century In Kerala League, Shares Emotional Hug with Brother Saly
Debuting in October 2010, Cheteshwar Pujara carved his identity as India’s Test specialist at a time when white-ball cricket often overshadowed the longer format. His biggest impact came during the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he soaked up 1,258 deliveries to score 521 runs, playing the anchor’s role in India’s historic maiden Test series win Down Under.
Reflecting on his retirement, Cheteshwar Pujara admitted the decision was well thought out. “This plan was going on for a week. I have not been part of the Indian team for the last few years, and I felt this was the right time as younger players are getting opportunities in domestic cricket. Such a decision is taken after consulting family and seniors, and I felt it was important to move on.”
WATCH – Alex Carey Hails MS Dhoni’s Wicketkeeping Genius, Recalls Iconic Stumping vs Australia
For India, Cheteshwar Pujara will forever remain the symbol of old-school Test cricket — a batter who valued patience, persistence, and the art of survival at the crease. His legacy, much like his innings, will stand the test of time.
1️⃣0️⃣3️⃣ Tests
7️⃣1️⃣9️⃣5️⃣ Runs
1️⃣6️⃣2️⃣1️⃣7️⃣ Balls Faced
1️⃣9️⃣ Hundreds
3️⃣5️⃣ Half-centuriesOne of the grittiest and finest to have ever represented #TeamIndia in Test cricket! 🙌 🙌
Chesteshwar Pujara – Congratulations on a wonderful Test career & best wishes for the road ahead! 👍 👍… pic.twitter.com/pYurWTNYWL
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 24, 2025
KL Rahul pens a farewell message for Cheteshwar Pujara 🤝
📸: KL Rahul/ Instagram #KLRahul #CheteshwarPujara #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/QkZ1XOEB5s
— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) August 25, 2025
Instagram Story of Jasprit Bumrah!
Yesterday, Cheteshwar Puraja retired from All Formats of Cricket.
World No 1 test bowler Jasprit Bumrah took a instagram story on Sunday to pay a heartfelt tribute to Chateswar Pujara. pic.twitter.com/i1qVzvxF7D
— Ashu Kharwar (@AshuKharwa66211) August 25, 2025
Pujara, 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.Your solid technique, patience, and composure under pressure have been a pillar for the team. Out of many, the 2018 series win in… pic.twitter.com/p0mWKfD9zm
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 24, 2025
Resolute, resilient and rock solid – Cheteshwar Pujara at his finest 🌟
Tributes pour in for the star batter 👉 https://t.co/gT2EJf5rpI pic.twitter.com/dcftSyMbuV
— ICC (@ICC) August 24, 2025
From the time I first saw Pujara and his potential, it was brilliant to see that potential translating into performance. His courage, grit and determination stood out and the body blows that he took in the Gabba test we won against Australia symbolised Pujara the cricketer for… pic.twitter.com/HsM54bVRVa
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 24, 2025
Cheteshwar Pujara – the unsung hero of Indian cricket.
A player who always put the team before himself, who gave not just a hundred percent but everything possible for India. Your contribution to Indian cricket is immense and will be remembered for a very, very long time.… pic.twitter.com/0YmpQnpr4E— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 24, 2025
The monk who loved to bat. That’s how Cheteshwar Pujara looked to me when he batted. Unflappable, no matter what was happening around him. Tremendous service to Indian cricket for which we owe him eternal gratitude. 🙏 🙏
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) August 25, 2025
From countless fighting knocks to showing us what patience and determination truly mean.
Congratulations on a legendary career, Pujji bhai. Wishing you all the success in your next chapter. ❤️🫂 @cheteshwar1 pic.twitter.com/bSg3sj7NCT— Kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18) August 24, 2025
End of an era!
Cheteshwar Pujara retires after an illustrious career 103 Tests of resilience, discipline & unforgettable knocks.
A true ambassador of Test cricket.@BCCI@cheteshwar1— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) August 24, 2025
Congratulations on an outstanding career @cheteshwar1! Your patience against pace and your skill against spin helped India to a golden era in Test cricket. Your courage and tenacity in the famous chase in Brisbane will be remembered for years to come!
Wishing you the very best… pic.twitter.com/O9HUNZ1omB
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) August 24, 2025
Thank you for inspiring an entire generation🥹
Wishing you the best ❤️#pujara #indiancricketteam #teamindia #bharatarmy #coti🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/wMiVh47LM6— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) August 24, 2025
Batted with grit and great temperament, and always the ultimate team man. Thank you, Pujara, for your priceless contributions to Indian Test cricket. It’s been a pleasure watching you in whites. Wishing you the best for the next innings. 🇮🇳 @cheteshwar1 pic.twitter.com/nUlzeHqDo8
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) August 24, 2025
Har match aur challenge mein team ke liye khade rahe ho, @cheteshwar1! Your grit, patience, and love for the game have set a benchmark for generations to come. All the best for the next innings! 🤗❤️ pic.twitter.com/eXbFXoepP4
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) August 24, 2025
