Cheteshwar Pujara called time on his playing career on Sunday to bring an end to his 20-year association with the sport.
Pujara was well-known for his accomplishments in Tests having played 103 matches across 15 years, scoring 7195 runs with 19 hundreds to his name.
Post the retirement of Rahul Dravid in 2012, Pujara took on the mantle of becoming India’s long-term no. 3 in the format for several years.
READ | Pujara retires from all forms of Indian cricket
He was instrumental in India’s dominating run at home and made valuable contributions in famous wins away from home, including the Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumphs in Australia in 2018 and 2021.
Here are Pujara’s top Test knocks
1. 206* vs England, Ahmedabad (2012)
This was the series in which Pujara established himself as India’s long-term option at no. 3. He began the series with an unbeaten 206 against an English attack comprising James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Tim Bresnan and Graeme Swann. While India won the Test by nine wickets, it lost the series 1-2 with Pujara finishing as India’s top-scorer with 438 runs.
2. 204 vs Australia, Hyderabad (2013)
Pujara produced another big hundred when he put on a 360-run second wicket stand with Murali Vijay to grind Australia to the ground after India had earlier restricted the away team to 237. India won by an innings and 135 runs to take a 2-0 lead.
3. 153 – South Africa, Johannesburg (2013)
Pujara showcased his credentials away from home in a gritty 153 in the third innings of the Jo’burg Test against an attack of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel. His innings was, however, overshadowed by the resilience of Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers in what was a thrilling fifth day draw.
4. 145* vs Sri Lanka, Colombo (2015)
Having been out of the side after a poor run of form in England and Australia, Pujara returned as an opener for the decider against Sri Lanka. In a remarkable innings, he carried the bat to help India post 312 after being asked to bat first. India went on to win the Test and clinch the series 2-1.
5. 123 vs Australia, Adelaide (2018)
His first Test century in Australia came in the opening Test of the series. While others faltered around him, Pujara held up on end to help India reach 250 in the first innings. He followed it up with a 71 in the second innings to set up India’s 31-run win.
6. 56 vs Australia, Brisbane (2021)
His 211-ball 56 in the fourth innings in the chase of 328 is often regarded as among his best knocks. He wore plenty of blows to his body as the trio of Micthell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins struggled to overcome his resistance until the 81st over of the innings. Rishabh Pant cashed in on a tiring bowling unit to take India home in a thrilling end to the series.
Published on Aug 24, 2025
