Cheteshwar Pujara's retirement runs into massive controversy; Congress MP involved

Senior Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor was disappointed over veteran Team India batter Cheteshwar Pujara’s sudden retirement from all formats of Indian cricket. Tharoor also stated that Pujara deserved more recognition and a "dignified farewell" for his contributions to Indian cricket.

Pujara last played for India in the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia. The team management backed younger talent following the loss. Pujara was also left out of the West Zone squad for the upcoming Duleep Trophy 2025, which is set to begin on Thursday, August 28.

Shashi Tharoor Feels Cheteshwar Pujara Deserved a Dignified Farewell

Shashi Tharoor stated that Cheteshwar Pujara should have been given more time with the Test side. Tharoor said that Pujara deserved a dignified farewell even if he had nothing left to prove.

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"I can’t help feeling a pang of regret at the retirement of @cheteshwar1. Even if it was inevitable after his recent string of exclusions from the Indian team, and even if he has nothing left to prove, he deserved a little longer in the saddle and a dignified farewell worthy of his outstanding Test career for India," Tharoor wrote on X.

Pujara finished his career with 7,195 runs in 103 matches at an average of 43.60, including 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries with a best score of 206. Pujara is India’s eighth-highest run-getter in Test history. The right-handed batter played only five ODIs, scoring 51 runs at an average of 10.2.

But the Selectors Had Decided to Move On - Shashi Tharoor

Shashi Tharoor said that Cheteshwar Pujara delivered impressive performances in domestic cricket after being dropped, but the selectors chose not to recall him. He added the veteran had no option but to retire after the management had moved on.

"When he was dropped, with typical gumption, he returned to the domestic scene and racked up a number of impressive scores. But the selectors had decided to move on, and one cannot blame him for deciding to throw in the towel," he added.

Pujara scored 21,301 runs in 278 first-class matches at an average of 51.82. He smashed 66 centuries and 81 half-centuries, with a highest score of 352. The batter scored 402 runs for Saurashtra at an average of 40.20 during the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy.

Cheteshwar Pujara Was Badly Missed on the Last Tour of Australia - Shashi Tharoor

Shashi Tharoor also said that he read about Cheteshwar Pujara’s immense sacrifices in his wife’s book Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife. He added that India felt the veteran’s absence in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where the team suffered a 1-3 series defeat to Australia.

“I was reading his wife’s “Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife” and reflecting on how much it takes to achieve all that Pujara did. He first caught my eye on an India A tour of England, 20 years ago, when his consistent scoring suggested he was ready for the next level."

"The selectors agreed, he made a precocious 72 in his second innings on debut, & despite one or two setbacks thereafter, went on to become India’s Mr. Reliable at number three. He was badly missed on the last tour of Australia. All the best, @cheteshwar1 Pujara! And thank you for your years of service to Indian cricket!" he concluded.

I can’t help feeling a pang of regret at the retirement of @cheteshwar1. Even if it was inevitable after his recent string of exclusions from the Indian team, and even if he has nothing left to prove, he deserved a little longer in the saddle and a dignified farewell worthy of… pic.twitter.com/sOwotYcjH8

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) August 24, 2025

Also read: BCCI, Gautam Gambhir, Shubman Gill drop colossal remarks on Cheteshwar Pujara's retirement