Post by : Mumtaaz
Qadiri
Photo:PTI
Indian cricket has bid farewell to one of its most dependable and dignified cricketers. Cheteshwar Pujara, often called the backbone of India’s Test batting line-up for more than a decade, has announced his retirement from international cricket. With his decision, an era has quietly but firmly ended, taking with it the essence of old-school batting that thrived on patience, resilience, and mental toughness rather than quick runs or flamboyance.
The Man Who Defended with Pride
Born in Rajkot, Gujarat, in 1988, Cheteshwar Pujara grew up under the guidance of his father, Arvind Pujara, himself a cricketer. Right from his early days, discipline and concentration became his strongest weapons. By the time he broke into the Indian team in 2010, cricket was already shifting toward the glamour of T20s. Yet, Pujara remained committed to the values of Test cricket—biding his time at the crease, frustrating bowlers, and grinding out runs through sheer patience.
His style was often described as a throwback to an earlier era of the game. In a time when fans demanded fast centuries and towering sixes, Pujara was content with batting sessions after session, defending deliveries with the straightest of bats and slowly building an innings brick by brick. For him, Test cricket was not just a format, but a philosophy.
The Shield of Indian Cricket
Pujara’s career is inseparable from India’s most important victories overseas. He played 103 Test matches, scoring over 7,000 runs with 19 centuries and 35 fifties. But numbers alone do not capture his value.
His contribution was most visible in difficult overseas tours—where India traditionally struggled. In Australia, his heroics became legendary. In the 2018–19 series, when India created history by winning its first-ever Test series Down Under, Pujara stood tall as the leading run-scorer with 521 runs, including three centuries. His ability to blunt the Australian pace attack, featuring the likes of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins, turned the series in India’s favor.
But his real test came two years later during the 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With India hit by injuries and setbacks, Pujara became the immovable object that Australian bowlers could not break. In the final Test at Brisbane, where India chased down 328 to clinch the series, Pujara’s 56 runs were worth far more than the scoreboard suggested. He faced 211 deliveries, taking painful blows to the body but never giving up. His resistance allowed younger players like Rishabh Pant to flourish at the other end and script an unforgettable victory. That innings came to symbolize everything Pujara stood for—courage, sacrifice, and team spirit.
A Style Rarely Seen Today
In today’s cricket, where T20 leagues dominate and strike rates are celebrated more than batting averages, Pujara remained an exception. His strike rate was often criticized as being too slow, but his role was never about speed. He was the steady hand in the storm, the man who absorbed pressure so that others could express themselves.
He played the role of the perfect foil to aggressive batters like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ajinkya Rahane. While they looked for boundaries, Pujara’s defense held the innings together. His willingness to play the unglamorous role made him one of the most respected figures in the dressing room.
The Humble Personality Behind the Bat
Off the field, Pujara was known for his humility and calm nature. Unlike many modern cricketers, he shied away from the limelight. He rarely made headlines outside the cricket field, never involved in controversies or off-field drama. To fans and teammates, he represented honesty, discipline, and dedication to the sport.
His upbringing and family support shaped him into the man he became. His father often accompanied him during his cricketing journey, guiding him through tough times. Even after making it big, Pujara maintained his soft-spoken, grounded personality—qualities that endeared him to cricket lovers.
What Retirement Means for India
Pujara’s retirement leaves a hole in India’s Test team that may not be easily filled. While young talents like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and others are making their mark, none have yet shown the same kind of stubborn resistance and defensive skills that Pujara mastered.
His absence will be felt most during long overseas tours, where batting in tough conditions against hostile pace attacks is never easy. Experts believe that Indian cricket will need to nurture a new generation of batters who understand the value of patience and concentration—skills that Pujara embodied better than anyone else in modern cricket.
Reactions from the Cricket World
Tributes have poured in from around the world since the announcement. Former players hailed him as a warrior who carried the true spirit of Test cricket. Fans shared videos of his most memorable knocks, especially those in Australia, where his grit became the stuff of folklore. Many described him as India’s “modern-day Wall,” a reference to Rahul Dravid, another legend known for his defensive strength.
Teammates spoke warmly about his selflessness. They recalled how he never complained about playing the tough, thankless role in the team, and how his calmness often inspired confidence in the dressing room.
A Farewell with Dignity
True to his nature, Pujara announced his retirement quietly, without any grand farewell events or dramatic statements. It was in line with how he played his cricket—simple, dignified, and selfless.
For fans, his departure brings mixed emotions. While there is sadness that they will no longer see him defending fiercely on the field, there is also immense respect for the legacy he leaves behind. His story will inspire future cricketers to value patience and discipline in a game that is increasingly fast-paced.
The Last of a Breed
Cheteshwar Pujara may not have been the most glamorous cricketer of his generation, but he was certainly one of the most important. He represented the classical spirit of Test cricket, proving time and again that grit and determination can outshine flair and aggression.
As Indian cricket moves forward, Pujara’s name will be remembered not only in statistics but in the stories of resilience he wrote with his bat. For the next generation, he will remain a symbol of what it means to fight for your team, to never give up, and to play the game with dignity.
In a cricketing age full of noise and speed, Cheteshwar Pujara was a quiet melody—steady, firm, and unforgettable.
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