It seems like the curtains have been drawn on the illustrious career of Cheteshwar Pujara, who might have to contend with his 103 Test caps, as he’s been dropped from India’s Test squad for the 2-Test series in West Indies in July which will kick-start India’s 2023/25 WTC cycle.
One of India’s finest ever batsmen and hero of India’s twin Test series wins in Australia, Pujara managed scores of 14 and 27 in the WTC Final 2023 against Australia.
With him being 35 years of age, and some ordinary numbers in recent years in Test cricket, and the team needing fresh and youth blood in the side moving forward, it seems highly unlikely that Cheteshwar will get to make a comeback, although Ajinkya Rahane recently made his comeback at the age of 35 that came on the back of a good Ranji season and a sensational IPL 2023 season. Pujara doesn’t play in the IPL, so it’s only domestic cricket and the County Championship where he could get the attention of the selectors again.
His form has undoubtedly been inconsistent. Since 2022, he averaged 36 in 10 Test matches, with his lone century in this period coming against Bangladesh. And since the start of 2020, Pujara averages 29 with only 12 fifty-plus scores in 52 innings. And he’s failed in both the WTC Finals, against New Zealand and Australia.
Nonetheless, even if he doesn’t get to play another Test, Cheteshwar Pujara will go down as one of India’s greatest Test batters, who batted in a grittier fashion than any of his peers. Currently, his average stands 43, which is commendable given the tough role at number 3 and the nature of mostly tough batting pitches in the world since 2018, with 19 centuries and 35 fifties to his name. Pujara notched up 5 centuries against Australia and 5 against England.
Vikrant Gupta writes a brilliant tweet hailing Cheteshwar Pujara’s career
Senior journalist Vikrant took to Twitter to applaud the achievements of Pujara as India’s Test cricketer and commended his 14-year Test career.
“And while we approach the possible end of Cheteshwar Pujara’s career, take out some time to applaud his achievements. Brilliant player for India,” Vikrant Gupta tweeted.
And while we approach the possible end of Cheteshwar Pujara’s career, take out some time to applaud his achievements. Brilliant player for India @cheteshwar1
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) June 23, 2023
