Jaydev Unadkat, who has been a junior to Cheteshwar Pujara as well as captained him for Saurashtra, penned an emotional tribute post to the Indian batter, who announced his retirement on Sunday. The left-arm pacer who played four Test matches for India wrote that he was ‘super proud although a bit emotional’ as his colleague and friend called time on a stellar career.
Unadkat began his post by recalling a conversation with Pujara back in 2010. “Hi Jaydev, this is Cheteshwar. I have had a word with Dada and you have to go for KKR trials. You are bowling very well so keep it up!” He went on write: “This was our first conversation on phone after one of our Ranji Trophy nets where I was still a net bowler, back in 2010. Little did i know back then, that we would become best mates and share some of our finest memories, and not just on the field!”
On Pujara’s ‘naughtier side’
While a lot of the tributes to Pujara have hailed him for his gritty batting, Unadkat wrote about the ‘naughtier side.’
“Your grit and determination for the game is something that everyone talks about and will talk about for generations to come. And deservedly so. But there was that other side of you, the funnier/naughtier/louder side, where we fought (sometimes violently!) for every fifa battle and took the longest to play every hand at the cards game and argued on absolutely silly topics.”
Pujara played 103 Test matches and last played for India at the WTC Final against Australia at The Oval in June 2023. In his first-class career, Pujara played 278 matches and scored more than 21,000 runs.
“Hi Jaydev, this is Cheteshwar. I have had a word with Dada and you have to go for KKR trials. You are bowling very well so keep it up!”
This was our first conversation on phone after one of our ranji trophy nets where I was still a net bowler, back in 2010. Little did i know… pic.twitter.com/gyXs3LNxzW
— Jaydev Unadkat (@JUnadkat) August 24, 2025
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“Today when you are putting an end to your illustrious career, I am super proud, although a bit emotional. I am super proud to call you my senior first, my colleague second, and my brother to round it all off! I can keep going on and on, writing and remembering about all those wonderful days. But I will save it till I also call it a day and then we can both sit and reminisce the good old days! For now, I just want to congratulate you, Puja & Arvind Uncle for a journey that is nothing short of a fairy-tale. You are and will be an inspiration for generations! Thank you, Chintu. See you soon,” Unadkat signed off.
‘A distinguished career’
Earlier, BCCI said in a press release that they congratulate Pujara “on a distinguished career, defined by resilience, patience, and an unflinching commitment to the longest form of the game. Pujara’s retirement closes a celebrated chapter in Indian cricket, one that will be remembered for his classical batting style, unmatched concentration, and his ability to anchor India in challenging situations. His arrival at the crease brought stability, consistency, and the assurance of a fighter who would not yield easily.”
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In his retirement announcement, Pujara wrote: “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. 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.”
