3 Best Cheteshwar Pujara Test Knocks Of All Time

Cheteshwar Pujara announced his retirement from Test cricket today, August 24, and with that, an era ended in Indian Test cricket. Pujara was India’s number three after Rahul Dravid, and through his almost one and a half decade long career, he ensured that he not only became the impenetrable wall for the side, but also a stalwart of the game. 

In his 103-Test long career, Pujara has played many such knocks that can define his grit and skill level. However, there are three that prove his mettle and actually define what kind of a batter he was. Let’s look at those knocks.

153 vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 2013 

Every subcontinent batter’s biggest Test is South Africa. The ball moves laterally and vertically much more than probably any other part of the world, and for someone like Pujara, who had grown up playing in dusty Rajkot, it was like an alien world. It was also a country where he had scored only 31 in the first three innings he played in the country in 2011.

However, when he returned this time in 2013, he smashed 153 against the South African bowling attack which had Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel. He played 270 deliveries, had a crucial partnership with Virat Kohli, and eventually helped India draw the Test match. 

145* vs Sri Lanka, Colombo, 2015

With the series poised at 1-1, India needed some extra efforts in the third Test to win the game and seal the series. As it turned, it was Pujara, who was opening the innings in that game who became India’s saviour. 

Despite a century-less period preceding that game, Pujara, batting out of position, remained not out at 145 as he batted in really tricky conditions and helped India to 312 in the first innings. His innings eventually proved to be the difference in turning conditions, as one of India’s best Test batters of spin helped them win their first Test series in Sri Lanka in 22 years. 

56 vs Australia, Brisbane, 2021

Probably, there wasn’t a spot on Pujara’s torso at that point that wasn’t bruised after being hit by the Australian pacers. However, with the team already turned into a hospital ward, there was no option but to bat on as India chased an improbable total in a stadium where Australia never lost any games. 

Pujara batted 211 deliveries for his 56, as he ran Australian pacers into the ground. He had crucial partnerships throughout the innings with the likes of Rishabh Pant, and eventually his 56 became one of the most important knocks in his career as India won their second Border-Gavaskar trophy Down Under on the trot.