Cheteshwar Pujara, called India’s “Wall 2.0,” has now stopped playing all forms of Indian cricket. On August 24, 2025, the 37-year-old told everyone on social media about his decision, finishing a 15-year journey on the world stage.
His goodbye note felt like his batting—calm, steady, and full of thanks. Pujara said that “putting on the Indian jersey, singing the anthem, and giving my all every time I was on the field—it’s hard to explain how much it really meant.
I am very thankful, so I have chosen to retire. He has played 103 Tests, scored 7,195 runs, made 19 centuries, and hit 35 half-centuries.
He leaves behind a way of thinking, more than just the numbers. His leaving also shows a bigger change, with strong players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin also having left recently.
[UPDATE] The Wall 2.0 – Patience Meets Grit
Pujara took on the big job of replacing Rahul Dravid and became the new No.3 for India. He built his career on strong focus, handling pressure well, and a traditional belief that being in the right spot was important.
| Matches | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s | Highest Score |
| 103 | 7,195 | 43.6 | 19 | 35 | 206* |
The peak of his career came in the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Pujara scored 521 runs in four Tests, faced over 1,200 balls, and was named Player of the Series as India secured a historic away triumph.
His stoicism at Sydney and Adelaide became folklore, a man turning into a human shield against relentless fast bowling. He also stood tall in the 2020-21 series, enduring body blows at Sydney and Brisbane while teammates around him played the flashy match-winners.
If others lit the fire, Pujara provided the oxygen. His highest score of 206* in Ahmedabad was just one of many marathon knocks where he looked more immovable than the stumps behind him.
[TRENDING] Tributes Flood In
The news brought many kind words and memories. Gautam Gambhir said he was a man who “stood strong when things got tough.”
Virender Sehwag said nice things about his strong will, hard work, and effort. Yuvraj Singh called him a “quiet fighter who gave everything for the country.”
Fans also joined in, with #ThankYouPujara being popular on social media. Some people were sad that he didn’t have a goodbye game on the field.
Politician Shashi Tharoor even tweeted that he “should have a respectful goodbye that matches his career.” But most people felt a lot of respect for a player who often held India’s dreams on his back.
His enemies liked him as well. Australian players often said it was really hard to bowl to Pujara, like trying to break a strong wall with just their hands.
That was his special skill, making the hardest job in cricket, Test match batting, seem like a tough fight he was meant to win.
One of the main reasons behind India’s both Test series victory in Australia. The wall who took body blows so others could shine. Has always been underappreciated and did his work in grit and silence. Thank you Pujara for everything, legend 💙 pic.twitter.com/RTsTKrC6xs
— sohom (@AwaaraHoon) August 24, 2025
[WHAT’S HAPPENING] A Legacy Etched in Stone
Pujara thanked his family, coaches, and teammates for shaping his career, with special mention of his parents and wife for “innumerable sacrifices.” True to his personality, he kept the farewell modest, avoiding grandeur.
As for the future, Pujara is expected to remain connected to the game. During breaks from the national side, he tried commentary and impressed with sharp insights.
Many believe coaching or mentoring roles await him. His retirement marks more than the end of a career; it signals the fading of an era when patience was celebrated as much as stroke-play.
In the age of T20, he was a reminder that grit and grind still win Test matches.
Amit Mishra’s Take
Seeing Pujara was like watching a calm person stay focused in a busy place. While others ran after fireworks, he made bonfires piece by piece.
His retirement means India is not just losing a Test batsman, it means Test cricket is losing one of its last great players.
