Former India coach Ravi Shastri had paid rich tribute to Cheteshwar Pujara, who retired from all forms of cricket on Sunday, calling the Saurashtra batter a “real warrior”.
“A real warrior. He was instrumental in my stint as coach for India being the No 1 side for five years on the trot and the two back-to-back series wins in Australia where he was simply brilliant. Well done Puji,” Shastri posted on X on Sunday.
Pujara ended his career with a rich legacy, having plundered 7,195 runs for Team India at an average of 43.60 in the longest format of the sport. This put him eighth in the all-time leading run-getters from India. What must also be noted is that he faced 16,217 deliveries for the Indian national team, often in testing conditions when the team needed him out in the middle.
Pujara’s traits as a ‘real warrior’ — as Shastri called him — were best demonstrated when Pujara scored 56 off 211 balls during India’s historic win at the Gabba in 2021. During that innings, Pujara was struck 11 times on his body with Pat Cummins doing the most damage, hitting the India batter on his chest, thigh, bicep, on the back of the helmet, below the neck, and also on the gloves.
Cheteshwar Pujara announced his retirement on Sunday, prompting special reactions from his teammates and former cricketers. (BCCI)
Pujara’s Australia connection
There was something about Pujara and Australia and it was fitting that Shastri mentioned the two back-to-back series wins in Australia and his role in them.
The Saurashtra batter made his debut for India in 2010 in the longest format against Australia (in Bengaluru). As Shastri noted, Pujara was one of the chief architects of India’s famous Border Gavaskar Trophy triumphs in 2018 and 2021. Coincidentally, Pujara’s last match for the Indian national team also came against Australia, in the World Test Championship Final at The Oval in June 2023.
Pujara’s farewell address
“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 on his social media accounts announcing his decision to retire.
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“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.”
Cheteshwar Pujara in action. (FILE photo)
What Pujara said at his press conference
“There are no regrets. I am very fortunate to have played for the Indian team for such a long time, not many players got that opportunity so I am very thankful to my family and people who have supported me,” the Saurashtra batter told reporters in a media conference in his hometown.
“I am really happy that I am calling this off but at the same time I will stay attached to the game. As a cricketer, I would like to stay associated to the cricket, doing commentary and I have started doing media work as well. I am not going to play cricket but I will be watching the Indian team and commenting on it. The honour will continue,” he added.
