Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara announced his retirement from Test Cricket on Sunday August 24th. He posted it on X and thanked everyone who have supported him throughout. With this, it was also the end of an era in Test cricket. Cheteshwar Pujara was India’s most dependable number 3 after Rahul Dravid. Through one and a half decade, he became not only the impenetrable wall of the side but also a stalwart in the game.
Cheteshwar Pujara played for 103 Test matches. He has played many inspiring knocks that has defined what he is which is grit and determination required at the top level. We have picked out three such knocks that prove why Cheteshwar Pujara was a crucial cog for India and what he meant to the side.
3. 153 vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 2013.Â
The biggest Test for any sub-continent batter is playing in South Africa. The ball moves laterally and vertically more here than any other part of the world and for someone like Pujara, who had grown up playing in dusty Rajkot, this seemed like an alien world. This was also a country where he had only managed to score 31 runs in his first three innings when he played in 2011.
But when he returned in 2013, he smashed a majestic 153 against the South African bowling attack that contained Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, and Morne Morkel. He played out 270 deliveries and had a crucial partnership with Virat Kohli which eventually helped India draw the Test match. This innings highlighted Pujara’s grit and mental toughness that he brings to the table.
2. 145* vs Sri Lanka, Colombo, 2015.Â
The series was poised 1-1 between India and Sri Lanka away from home. India needed some extra efforts in the deciding third Test to win the game and seal the series 2-1. As it turned out, India needed an opener this time with injuries to the side and guess who stepped up to the plate. Cheteshwar Pujara stepped up and said he was willing to open the batting and good that he did as he became India’s saviour.
Despite a century-less period for him that preceded this game, Pujara who batted out of his position and comfort zone remained unbeaten on 145 and he batted in really tricky conditions out there and helped India get to 312 in the first innings. His innings eventually turned out and proved to be the difference in turning conditions, as one of India’s best Test batters of spin helped India win their first Test series in Sri Lanka after a gap of 22 years. It showed that Pujara can do anything out of his comfort zone and for the sake of his team.
1. 56 vs Australia, Brisbane, 2021.Â
We saved the best of Pujara innings for the last as there was no better innings than this one although this was not a century but the most valued innings for more reasons than one. There wasn’t a spot on Pujara’s body at that point that wasn’t bruised after being hit by the Australia pacers. However, with the team already turned into a hospital ward with so many injuries for India, there was no option for Pujara but to bat on as India looked to chase an improbable total in a stadium where Australia never lost any games.
Cheteshwar Pujara batted for 211 deliveries for his 56, as he ran the Australian pacers into the ground. He had crucial partnerships throughout the innings with the likes of Rishabh Pant, and eventually his 56 became one of the most important knocks in his career as India won their second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under on the trot. Without Pujara, this would have been impossible and showed the fighter that he is and the body blows he is willing to take for the sake and needs of the team and nation.
So, these were the three best knocks that we picked out of Cheteshwar Pujara in Test cricket. There were many more for sure, but these three are right up there in our view.
Also Read:Â IND VS WI: Cheteshwar Pujara Retires From All Forms Of Indian Cricket.