Cheteshwar Pujara retirement: Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul share emotional tribute - See pictures

Cheteshwar Pujara’s decision to retire from all forms of Indian cricket brought heartfelt messages from his former teammates, as the 37-year-old ended a career spanning 15 years. India pacer Jasprit Bumrah took to Instagram to share his admiration for the veteran batter. “Cricket will miss you Pujji bhai. Wishing you success on your next chapter,” Bumrah wrote, reflecting the respect Pujara commanded in the dressing room. KL Rahul also paid tribute to the right-hander’s grit and determination. “An era of grit, patience and class. Happy retirement Pujji. Wish you very best in your next chapter,” Rahul posted. Pujara, who made his Test debut in October 2010, was often seen as the anchor of India’s batting line-up at a time when the shorter formats dominated the sport. Known for his defensive technique and composure, he finished with 7,195 runs in 103 Tests, including 19 centuries and 35 fifties. His most memorable performance came in the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he faced 1,258 balls to amass 521 runs, playing a central role in India’s historic series win in Australia. Explaining his decision, Pujara said the call had been in the works. “This plan was going on for a week. I have not been a part of the Indian team for the last few years, but now I thought that this is the right time because young players have got an opportunity in domestic cricket, which is why I made this decision,” he revealed. “When you take such a big decision, you take this decision only after talking to your family and your biggest players, so I consulted everyone, and then I decided that it is important to move on,” he added.