Ajinkya Rahane issues colossal statement after Cheteshwar Pujara's retirement
Published - 24 Aug 2025, 01:43 PM | Updated - 24 Aug 2025, 01:46 PM

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The 37-year-old India National Cricket Team out-of-favor batsman Ajinkya Rahane has made a huge statement on the retirement of Cheteshwar Pujara.
Cheteshwar Pujara, who was the last of India's Test purists, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Sunday, August 24.
Cricket's ultimate Test warrior - Cheteshwar Pujara - says goodbye
The Rajkot-born batter Pujara made his Test debut for the India National Cricket Team at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 9, 2010, against the Australia National Cricket Team.
From thereon, he went on to play a total of 103 Test matches for the country, with his last appearance coming in June 2023 against Australia at the Kennington Oval in London.
He scored 7195 runs in his legendary career at an average of 43.60, with 19 centuries and 35 fifties, and a best score of 206*.
Cheteshwar Pujara was a batter with a classical technique who spent the bulk of his career batting at No.3 and became a mainstay of the Indian Test team for over a decade.
He emerged as a perfect successor to Rahul Dravid and played some unbelievable match-defining knocks, especially in overseas conditions, to become the team's most dependable batter in the longest format of the game.
Although there was a downfall in his performance in the latter stages of his career, he established a legacy in Test cricket that will never be forgotten. Pujara ended his career as the only Indian batter in Test history to face 500+ balls in an innings and the Indian player with the most Test wins in SENA countries - 11.
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Loved every moment of playing alongside you - Ajinkya Rahane
Reacting to Cheteshwar Pujara's retirement, his long-time teammate Ajinkya Rahane took to X to wish the batter luck for his second innings. Ajinkya Rahane also stated that he would always cherish the time spent with Cheteshwar Pujara.
"Congratulations Pujji on a wonderful career. Loved every moment of playing alongside you and will always cherish our special Test wins together. Best wishes for the second innings!," Ajinkya Rahane stated.
Congratulations Pujji on a wonderful career. Loved every moment of playing alongside you and will always cherish our special Test wins together. Best wishes for the second innings!
— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) August 24, 2025
You have been a great ambassador of this wonderful game - Anil Kumble
The legendary India leg-spinner Anil Kumble labelled Cheteshwar Pujara as a "great ambassador" of Test cricket and stated that working with the batter was a privilege for him. He stated:
"Congratulations on a fantastic career!You have been a great ambassador of this wonderful game @cheteshwar1 We are all proud of all your achievements on the cricket field. You gave it your all for the team! It was a privilege to have worked with you and may you continue to shine in your second innings! Best wishes to you, Puja , Aditi and your Dad. Well Done!!"
Congratulations on a fantastic career!You have been a great ambassador of this wonderful game @cheteshwar1 We are all proud of all your achievements on the cricket field. You gave it your all for the team! It was a privilege to have worked with you and may you continue to shine…
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) August 24, 2025
Another legendary Indian player, Yuvraj Singh, also praised Pujara for putting his body on the line for the country. He stated:
"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."
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
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