26 Aug 2025 : Ravichandran Ashwin paid Cheteshwar Pujara the ultimate tribute following the latter’s retirement from all forms of Indian cricket. Pujara called time on his career, having played 103 Tests for the country and scored more than 7195 runs at an average of 43.60. The right-handed batter, 37, smashed 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries. Throughout his playing career, Pujara was known for grinding the opposition bowlers to the ground, making the job of the rest of the batters relatively easier.
While speaking on his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’, Ashwin said that Pujara was instrumental in helping Virat Kohli score his runs in Tests. The former India captain Kohli announced his Test retirement earlier this year ahead of the squad announcement for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against England.
Kohli and Pujara were involved in a lot of memorable partnerships. Ashwin reckons that the former India No.3 deserves to be talked about as much as Rohit Sharma and Kohli. It must be mentioned that Pujara is the only Indian batter to face more than 500 balls in a single Test innings (525 deliveries against Australia in 2017 in Ranchi).
Pujara was also hit 11 times on the body when India pulled off a memorable win at the Gabba, Brisbane, against Australia in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The right-hander faced 211 deliveries, scoring 56 runs, as he wore out Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
“What did Cheteshwar Pujara stand for in Indian cricket? I said his contributions are no less than Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Obviously, a lot of people talk about their contributions. The attention is not there,” said Ashwin.
Summary:
Ravichandran Ashwin praised Cheteshwar Pujara, calling him “instrumental” in Virat Kohli’s runs, likening Pujara’s resilience and role in the team to a “white walker” figure.