Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara on Thursday stressed that each and every bilateral assignment will be "very important" now for stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as India look ahead to the 2027 ODI World Cup.
From Rajkot's maidans to cricket's grandest arenas, Cheteshwar Pujara carved a niche as the bedrock of India's Test side. He is one of only 14 Indians to feature in more than 100 Tests, and his innings often defined India's most memorable triumphs.
Cheteshwar Pujara, one of India's finest Test batters, called time on his illustrious career on Sunday.
Batting maestro Virat Kohli on Tuesday posted a heartfelt note to pay tributes to former teammate Cheteshwar Pujara, who announced retirement from international cricket the other day.
Ravichandran Ashwin paid a heartwarming tribute to batter Cheteshwar Pujara following his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket, calling his batting a "symphony".
While modern greats like Shubman Gill and Joe Root shy away from batting at No. 3, Nasser Hussain says Cheteshwar Pujara embraced the challenge and carried forward Rahul Dravid's legacy with distinction.
Cheteshwar Pujara urges Tilak Varma to be more aggressive against spin despite his century, as Mumbai Indians bounce back with a big win over Gujarat Titans.
'Pujara, it was always reassuring to see you walk out at No.3. You brought calm, courage, and a deep love for Test cricket every time you played.'
India will take on Afghanistan in a one-off Test from June 6 onwards at New Chandigarh. This comes after the Men in Blue suffered a 0-2 clean sweep loss to South Africa at home last year, marking back-to-back series whitewashes in two years in a row, after a 0-3 whitewash loss to New Zealand in 2024, which marked the end of India's 12-year unbeaten streak at home.
Making his Test debut against Australia in 2010, Cheteshwar Pujara went on to represent India in 103 Tests, amassing 7195 runs at an average of 43.60, including 19 centuries.
Cheteshwar Pujara's retirement from Indian cricket on Sunday prompted an outpouring of tributes, none more heartfelt than Jaydev Unadkat's.
In the era of uber-stylish batters, Pujara was that glue that held the Indian batting together for a decade between 2013-14 till 2023 over a period of 100 plus Test matches.
Ravichandran Ashwin has called for urgent measures to safeguard Test cricket, stressing the importance of first-class cricket as the pathway to the longest format and warning that young players need stronger incentives to pursue red-ball careers.
Selectors to consider Jasprit Bumrah's workload and Rohit Sharma's fitness when picking India's squads for the upcoming Test and ODI series against Afghanistan.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has identified Chennai Super Kings' bowling as their primary concern, suggesting they need to consistently score high to compensate. He also praised Ayush Mhatre's potential and Rohit Sharma's improved fitness.
Having bid adieu to his stellar Test career a content man, Indian Test batting great Cheteshwar Pujara wouldn't mind a coaching stint or a role at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in the next stage of his cricketing journey.
'I don't see a point in Dhoni batting at Number 8 or 9, because he has the potential to turn games around single-handedly, something no other batter in the CSK team can do.'
'The Diary of a Cricketer's Wife' penned by Puja Pujara, capturing the journey of her husband Cheteshwar, found a hallowed introduction place at the Lord's Cricket Ground library and the author termed the book as "something for everyone."
The 317th man to play for India in Test cricket, Sudharsan was handed his Test cap by former India No 3 bat, Cheteshwar Pujara.
Virat Kohli discusses his time as captain of the Indian Test cricket team and how a shared sense of responsibility among players contributed to their success.
The Lord's holds a special place of pride for Pujara who became the first Indian to achieve a first-class double hundred at Lord's, when he scored a double century for Sussex against Middlesex in 2022.
Pujara believes there are 'shades of Rishabh Pant' in the young English batter, who took the attack to the Indian bowlers with remarkable flair.
Former England cricketers Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell, Alastair Cook and David Lloyd jokingly claimed Sooryavanshi could be "burnt out by 21" after being left amazed by his explosive performances.
Pujara recalled the struggles made by his parents to support his career.
Cheteshwar Pujara understands more than anyone else that time was right for him to bid adieu without any regrets.
Former India captain Anil Kumble has criticised Kolkata Knight Riders for releasing key players Shreyas Iyer and Phil Salt after their IPL victory, suggesting it undermines their chances of future success. He also praises Shreyas Iyer's leadership and Cheteshwar Pujara compares SRH's opening pair to Kohli and Gayle.
In India's previpus tours of England, Rahane and Pujara have amassed 864 and 870 runs in 16 Test matches, respectively.
'All I remember is that when I used to go to the ground, when I was 14-years-old, and when I came back in the evening, the colour of my face would be completely different.'
'The entire team started working on the fitness, and at the same time, Virat paid a lot of attention to the Test format, and he wanted the team to be one of the best in the world.'
If I get an opportunity to represent the country, that will be the best thing: Pujara
Former India off-spinner R Ashwin believes Chennai Super Kings' skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad missed an opportunity to regain form in the IPL match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Ashwin analyses Gaikwad's struggles, while also praising SRH bowler Eshan Malinga.
Marnus Labuschagne arrived at the crease in Perth with a plan: channel his inner Cheteshwar Pujara.
Cheteshwar Pujara elieves that a shift in playing philosophy is the need of the hour for CSK even if it means scoring at a quicker clip.
K L Rahul's indifferent form could throw Cheteshwar Pujara a lifeline for the tour of Australia, where he enjoys a great record.
'I am pretty happy that Puj (Pujara) isn't here.'
Cheteshwar Pujara identifies reason behind Yashasvi Jaiswal's struggle, offers solution ahead of Boxing Day Test
Overall, in his IPL career, Ravi Bishnoi has picked up 72 wickets in 77 games at an economy rate of 8.21.
The Indian team in Australia lacks a bowling attack that is good enough to take 20 wickets in a Test, Cheteshwar Pujara said
'I definitely believe the kind of form he is in, the way he is batting, it will strengthen the Indian batting line-up.'
2025 will go down as one of the most unsettling chapters in Indian cricket -- not merely because of who retired, but because of how and when it happened.
