There has been a lot of talk about Cheteshwar Pujara possibly retiring from cricket, but the experienced batter has made it clear that he is not planning to hang up his boots just yet. In a recent podcast with ESPN Cricinfo, where he appeared with his wife Puja Pabari, Pujara spoke openly about his future in cricket.
During the show, he was shown a video of Rohit Sharma mentioning that Pujara has not retired, referring to a press conference after India’s draw at Gabba in the 2024-2025 BGT (Border-Gavaskar series). At the same event, Ashwin had announced his retirement, surprising many fans. Responding to Rohit’s comments, Pujara agreed and said he is still very much active and enjoying the game. He added that he prefers to focus on the present moment instead of worrying about retirement plans.
Responding to Rohit’s comment, he said, “He is saying that I have not retired, and I am not done yet. I would agree to that. This is the phase that I am still enjoying my cricket. I will think about the retirement part later. But at the moment, I am someone who likes to live in the present.”
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Cheteshwar Pujara’s Career
Pujara made his Test Debut in 2010, built a strong reputation as a reliable no. 3 batter. Over his career, he has played 103 Test Matches and scored 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60. His highest score was an unbeaten 206. Facing over 16,000 balls, he hit 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries with a very calm and steady approach. Pujara was known for his patience and ability to stay at the crease for long hours, helping India in many tough matches, especially overseas.
Even though Pujara has not played for India since the World Test Championship Final in 2023 against Australia at the Oval, he continues to stay connected to cricket. He is active in first-class matches in India and is a regular in county cricket in England. Besides playing, he has also tried his hands at commentary and was recently seen presenting the debut Test cap to young player Sai Sudharasan in England.
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While he is no longer a part of the national team setup, Pujara has shown that he still has the passion and commitment to keep playing. For now, retirement is not on his mind. Instead, he wants to continue enjoying the game and contribute in any way he can, whether on the field or through commentary.
