Ravi Shastri Pays Tribute To Cheteshwar Pujara After Retirement: ‘He Was Instrumental…’ | Cricket News

Last Updated:August 24, 2025, 17:06 IST

Ravi Shastri has paid tribute to Cheteshwar Pujara after his retirement, highlighting Pujara’s impact on India’s success.

Cheteshwar Pujara has announced his retirement (Picture credit: AFP)

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, on Sunday, August 24, left a heartfelt message for Cheteshwar Pujara, who announced his retirement earlier in the day, acknowledging the latter’s role in his successful coaching career, when the Indian team was flourishing both at home and away.

After 103 Tests and 7,195 runs at an average of 43.6, Pujara has announced his retirement from all formats, drawing the curtains on a career defined by grit and resilience.

Pujara stands in eighth place in the all-time leading run-getters from India. He amassed 21301 runs in first-class cricket as well.

“A real warrior. He was instrumental in my stint as coach for India, being the No. 1 side for 5 years on the trot and the 2 back to back series wins in Australia, where he was simply brilliant,” Shastri tweeted on Sunday afternoon.

In Shastri’s first Test as coach, against Sri Lanka in August 2017 at Galle, Pujara scored a brilliant 153 in India’s first innings.

As the new domestic season nears, many anticipated Pujara’s return for Saurashtra, but he chose this moment to call time on his career.

“We were hoping he would play the upcoming season, but we respect his decision. What a legend he has been for Saurashtra and Indian cricket. Alongside Ravindra Jadeja, Pujara is the biggest cricketer to have come out of Saurashtra and we can’t thank him enough for his contribution to the game in the region,” the region’s cricket association president Jaydev Shah told PTI.

“I would have loved to see him say goodbye from the ground, but it’s his call and we wish him all the best,” Shah added.

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