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Shubman Gill has thanked Cheteshwar Pujara as he retires from Indian cricket after 15 years, leaving a legacy in Tests for India.
Cheteshwar Pujara has announced his retirement (Picture credit: AFP)
India’s Test skipper Shubman Gill on Sunday, August 24, extended his heartfelt gratitude to senior pro Cheteshwar Pujara, who announced his retirement from Indian cricket on the day, 15 years after making his debut in the India whites against Australia in Bengaluru.
Pujara, who played 103 Tests and scored 7195 runs at an average of 43.6, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, drawing curtains on a career that epitomised resilience in the longest format.
The decision wasn’t surprising, considering the side’s two other stalwarts, ace India batter Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, bid farewell to Tests ahead of the England tour earlier this year, while another long-time teammate, Ravichandran Ashwin, retired midway through the Australia tour in December.
“Thank you, pujji bhai ❤️🇮🇳 @cheteshwar1,” Gill tweeted on Sunday afternoon.
On Gill’s Test debut against Australia in Melbourne in 2020, Pujara was part of the playing XI. The duo built a 61-run partnership as well in India’s first innings of the game, before the former was dismissed by Pat Cummins for 45.
“Thanks, Shubman! Best wishes for the season ahead 👍,” Pujara replied.
With another domestic season around the corner, Pujara was expected to turn up for Saurashtra, but he thought it was the right time to move on.
Pujara had made his first-class debut under Jaydev Shah’s leadership, who is currently the president of the Saurashtra Cricket Association.
“We were hoping he would play the upcoming season, but we respect his decision. What a legend he has been for Saurashtra and Indian cricket. Alongside Ravindra Jadeja, Pujara is the biggest cricketer to have come out of Saurashtra and we can’t thank him enough for his contribution to the game in the region,” Jaydev told PTI.
During his time away from the Indian team, Pujara turned to commentary and was part of the broadcast team for the recent India-England series in the UK.
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