Cheteshwar Pujara walks without edging it!
Updated On: 25 August, 2025 08:02 AM IST | Bengaluru | R Kaushik
An embodiment of grit, courage and always putting a huge price on his wicket, but never chasing the limelight, Cheteshwar does his typically honourable thing of walking into the sunset without fuss or fanfare
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Cheteshwar Pujara. Pic/Getty Images
Impressive as his numbers are, there is more to Cheteshwar Pujara than 7195 runs, 19 centuries and an average of 43.60 in 103 Tests. Identified as India’s future No. 3 whenever Rahul Dravid called time on his glorious career, the right-hander from Rajkot proved an able successor, reprising the role of The Wall with an unflagging commitment and a pursuit of team glory that was second to none.
Similar role to Dravid
In a team of stunning stroke-makers, Dravid’s calming presence at one-drop allowed the Sehwags, the Tendulkars and the Laxmans to play with freedom. Pujara performed a similar role as India moved on from the Fab Four and entered an era that would be dominated by Virat Kohli, around whom the batting revolved from the end of 2014.
Pujara’s penchant for occupying the crease and blunting bowling attacks was never more evident than on the tour of Australia in 2018-19, when India registered their first series triumph Down Under. Over four Tests, he faced a staggering 1258 deliveries while amassing a series-high 521 runs; such was his domineering presence at the batting crease that by the time of the final Test at the SCG, Australia’s bowling attack was running on empty when it came to physical reserves.
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