A Legacy of Patience and Perseverance
When it comes to the name Cheteshwar Pujara, the first thoughts that come to mind are grit, determination, concentration, and an unyielding fight. In an era where strike rates and boundary counts dominate the conversation, Pujara redefined what it meant to bat for time. He brought a style of play that emphasized grinding down the opposition, making patience fashionable in the world of Test cricket.
Pujara’s approach was evident during India’s tour of Australia in 2018-19, when his then-head coach, Justin Langer, reportedly grew tired of seeing him at the crease for extended periods. This was the essence of Pujara—classical, patient, and unwavering. He never gave up, even when the odds were against him.
Despite being dropped from the team more times than any other cricketer with over 100 Tests under their belt, Pujara always found a way back into the squad. His resilience and consistency in domestic cricket made him a reliable choice for the selectors. Over the years, he became a run machine for Saurashtra, showcasing his ability to perform consistently at the highest level.
After announcing his retirement on August 27, 2025, Pujara concluded an extraordinary career that saw him amass 21,301 runs in 278 first-class matches. Of those, 7,774 runs came while playing for Saurashtra, averaging a staggering 62 with 25 centuries. His overall average across all first-class matches was 51.8, with 66 centuries to his name.
Reflecting on his early days, Pujara admitted that scoring centuries was not enough to win matches. “I would score the majority of the runs in that game, and yet we would end up losing,” he said. This realization came during his formative years with Saurashtra, a team that was initially on the weaker side.
“I remember my Under-14 days—whenever I scored a hundred and then got out, the team would often be bowled out for 220-230. Sometimes even 180-190,” Pujara told Cricbuzz. This experience shaped his approach to batting, pushing him to aim higher.
He developed the habit of batting for long periods after raising the bar from 100 to 150 and then 200. “I started aiming for 150s, double hundreds, even triple hundreds in junior cricket—whether it was Under-14, Under-16, or Under-19. That’s how I developed the habit of having patience, discipline, and determination to score big runs.”
This mindset carried over into his professional career. The 37-year-old, who made his first-class debut in 2005, played a pivotal role in elevating Saurashtra to the Elite Group of the Ranji Trophy. “That habit carried on into the Ranji Trophy as well. At that time, Saurashtra was in the Plate Division. After I made my debut, we got promoted to the Elite Division, and slowly things started to fall into place.”
Pujara added, “But I realised that if I were playing for a slightly weaker team, just scoring a hundred wasn’t enough. You had to score big runs to give the team a chance to win. That’s how the habit started, and it carried on. Eventually, Saurashtra became a stronger unit. But once you create a good habit, it stays with you for a long time.”
Pujara’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of setting high goals. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers, reminding them that success is not just about individual achievements but also about contributing to the team’s overall performance.
