Cheteshwar Pujara, regarded as India’s most reliable No.3 batter, has officially announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket. The veteran Saurashtra cricketer shared his decision with fans on Sunday, August 24, via social media.

Known for his calm temperament and remarkable consistency, Pujara built his career around patience and resilience at the crease. He became the backbone of India’s Test batting lineup, often standing tall against challenging bowling attacks and delivering crucial innings in pressure situations.

At 37, Pujara chose to bring the curtain down on his illustrious domestic and international journey. His retirement marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy that inspired young cricketers across India to value determination and discipline in batting.

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Cheteshwar Pujara Announces His Retirement Through Social Media:

Cheteshwar Pujara had an outstanding Test career, playing 103 matches and amassing 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60. His record features 19 centuries and 35 fifties. Additionally, he represented India in five ODIs, where he managed to score 51 runs.

Pujara took to Instagram to announce his retirement, expressing heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported him throughout his career. In his message, he thanked teammates, coaches, fans, and family for their constant encouragement, highlighting the role each played in shaping his journey in cricket.

He wrote, “ 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. Thank you for all the love and support!”

 

 

 

 

 

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5 Cricketers Who Featured in U-19 World Cup with Pujara:

Before becoming a mainstay in international cricket, Cheteshwar Pujara rose to prominence during the 2006 Under-19 World Cup. India ended as runners-up in that edition, while Pujara stood out with exceptional performances. Across six matches, he scored 349 runs at an astonishing average of 116.33 and a strike rate of 82.11, registering two half-centuries and a brilliant hundred.

That tournament showcased Pujara’s immense talent and temperament at a young age. Alongside him, several other promising cricketers also featured in the competition. On that note, here’s a look at five players you might not know who played with him in the 2006 Under-19 World Cup.

• Piyush Chawla

Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla was part of the Indian team that made it to the final of the 2006 Under-19 World Cup. He emerged as the side’s most effective bowler, claiming 13 wickets in six matches. Chawla’s performances stood out with an impressive average of 12.15 and a strike rate of 22.69, including best bowling figures of 4/8 in the tournament.

In June this year, Chawla decided to retire from all formats of cricket, ending a long career. At the international level, he featured in 35 matches for India across formats and went on to take 43 wickets, leaving behind memorable contributions as a spinner.

• Eoin Morgan

Eoin Morgan, the former England skipper, was also part of the 2006 Under-19 World Cup, where he captained the Ireland side. He had an outstanding campaign with the bat, finishing as the tournament’s second-highest run-getter after Cheteshwar Pujara. In six innings, Morgan piled up 338 runs at an average of 67.60 and a strike rate of 85.35, which included two fifties and a brilliant century.

Morgan began his international journey with Ireland, making his ODI debut against Scotland in 2006. However, in 2009, he switched to England, where he went on to play 356 matches across formats. Over his career, he scored 10,115 runs with 59 half-centuries and 15 hundreds, famously leading England to their first-ever ODI World Cup win in 2019.

• Sunil Narine

Sunil Narine was a member of the West Indies squad in the 2006 Under-19 World Cup, sharing the stage with future stars like Kieron Pollard and Kemar Roach. During the tournament, Narine featured in five matches and managed to pick up seven wickets. He finished with a bowling average of 30.00 and a strike rate of 37.71, showcasing glimpses of his talent.

Narine later became a key figure for the West Indies at the senior level, playing 122 international games across formats. Over the course of his career, he claimed 165 wickets at an average of 26.61, which included four five-wicket hauls. After years of service to West Indies cricket, he announced his retirement from international cricket in 2023.

• Colin Munro

Colin Munro, the left-handed batter from New Zealand, was part of the 2006 Under-19 World Cup squad. In the tournament, he played five matches and contributed with the ball as well, taking four wickets. His bowling efforts came at an average of 34.00 and a strike rate of 34.75, highlighting his role as a handy all-round option for the team.

Munro later carved out a notable international career with the Black Caps, representing New Zealand in 123 matches across formats. Over that period, he scored 3,010 runs at an average of 27.87, which included 19 half-centuries and three centuries. In May 2024, the aggressive left-hander announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a memorable career.

• David Warner

The last player on this list is former Australian opener David Warner. David Warner featured in the 2006 Under-19 World Cup, appearing in five matches and batting in four innings. He scored 91 runs at an average of 30.33, striking at 131.88. His best performance included a quick half-century that highlighted his aggressive batting style.

Warner went on to enjoy a legendary international career for Australia, representing his country in 383 matches across all formats. Over the years, he accumulated 18,995 runs at an impressive average of 42.39. His record includes 98 half-centuries and 49 centuries, establishing him as one of Australia’s finest openers. He bid farewell to international cricket following the conclusion of the 2024 T20 World Cup.