India’s dependable No. 3 batsman, Cheteshwar Pujara, announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket On Sunday (August 24 2025), bringing an end to a deeply respected career. Pujara, who made his Test debut in 2010, played 103 Tests, amassing 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, featuring 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries, with the highest score of 206*.
His final outing for India was at the World Test Championship Final in 2023, after which he continued playing only domestic and county cricket. Former Indian cricketer Virat Kohli, who also played many matches with Pujara, paid a massive tribute to him, acknowledging his impact in making his job easier as a No.4 batter for the Indian Test cricket team.
“Thank you for making my job easier at 4 pujji. You’ve had an amazing career. Congratulations and wish you the best for what’s ahead. God bless you @cheteshwar_pujara,” Kohli wrote on an Instagram.
Pujara’s defining moment came in the 2018–19 Border–Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he scored 521 runs, and was named Player of the Series. As for Kohli, he retired from Test cricket earlier this year in May, drawing curains on an gigantic 14-year career in the longest format.