"He stood tall when the storm raged": Gautam Gambhir congratulates Cheteshwar Pujara on retirement

New Delhi [India], August 24 (ANI): India's head coach Gautam Gambhir and former Indian cricketers congratulated Cheteshwar Pujara as he announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket on Sunday.
Pujara finished as the eighth-highest run scorer for India in Test cricket. In 103 Tests, he amassed 7195 runs at an average of 43.60, including 19 hundreds and 35 half-centuries throughout his career, with a highest score of 206*.
Gambhir wrote on his X handle, "He stood tall when the storm raged, he fought when hope was fading. Congratulations, Pujji."

He stood tall when the storm raged, he fought when hope was fading. Congratulations Pujji 🇮🇳@cheteshwar1 pic.twitter.com/0Tj836uoO9

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) August 24, 2025

Cheteshwar Pujara made his international debut against Australia in Bengaluru on October 9, 2010. He is most remembered for India's Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph in Australia in 2018/19 and 2020/21. He troubled Australia with his solid defence and technique.
Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag hailed Pujara for this fabulous Test career, "Congratulations on a fabulous test career @cheteshwar1 Your grit, determination and hardwork was inspiring and you can be very proud of what you have achieved. Best wishes for a memorable second innings," Sehwag wrote on X.

Someone who always put his mind, body and soul for the country! Many congratulations on an outstanding career Puji! See you on the other side! @cheteshwar1 pic.twitter.com/gbpscDGFZd

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) August 24, 2025

Legendary Indian batter Yuvraj Singh posted on his X handle, "Someone who always put his mind, body and soul for the country! Many congratulations on an outstanding career, Puji! See you on the other side! @cheteshwar1."

An outstanding career @cheteshwar1 . You must be mighty proud of what you achieved snd wish you a very happy second innings. https://t.co/jiwa6r4e3O

— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) August 24, 2025

The Indian red ball stalwart in 2018/18 BGT top-scored with 521 runs in four matches at an average of 74.42, three centuries and a fifty. His best score was 193. In the 2020-21 series, he scored 271 runs from four matches at an average of 33.87, with three fifties and a best score of 77.
In the final Test at The Gabba, he endured several body blows from Australian pacers on his body, making the win even more memorable.
Veteran Indian seamer Venkatesh Prasad wrote on his X handle, "An outstanding career @cheteshwar1. You must be mighty proud of what you achieved and wish you a very happy second innings."

First of his name, last of his kind. Take a bow on a stellar career @cheteshwar1 🙌🏻 You should be mighty proud of what you achieved donning the India cap. Congratulations and all the best for what's to come 🤗 pic.twitter.com/JURHSo3QIG

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) August 24, 2025

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer bowed to Pujara on his stellar career, "First of his name, last of his kind. Take a bow on a stellar career @cheteshwar1. You should be mighty proud of what you achieved donning the India cap. Congratulations and all the best for what's to come," Jaffer wrote in an X post.

First of his name, last of his kind. Take a bow on a stellar career @cheteshwar1 🙌🏻 You should be mighty proud of what you achieved donning the India cap. Congratulations and all the best for what's to come 🤗 pic.twitter.com/JURHSo3QIG

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) August 24, 2025

Former Indian batter Suresh Raina also congratulated Pujara, "Congratulations brother @cheteshwar1 for amazing career! Good luck to you and family," Raina wrote in an X post.

Congratulations brother @cheteshwar1 for amazing career 🇮🇳🙌! Good luck to you and family 🕉️🙌 https://t.co/eLCAtMr26q

— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) August 24, 2025

Apart from international cricket, Cheteshwar Pujara was a domestic legend with 21301 runs from 278 first-class games at an average of 51.82. The red ball veteran slammed 66 tons and 81 half-centuries throughout his first-class career with a best score of 352. (ANI)