Cheteshwar Pujara retirement: What is written on his goodbye post? Read inside

Cheteshwar Pujara, one of India’s finest Test batters, announced his retirement from international cricket on Sunday, bringing the curtains down on an illustrious career that spanned over a decade.The 37-year-old made the announcement through a heartfelt social media post. Pujara last represented India in the 2023 Test series and finishes his career with 7,195 runs in 103 Tests at an average of 43.60. He also scored a staggering 21,301 runs in first-class cricket, establishing himself as one of the modern game’s finest red-ball players.His decision comes in a year that has already seen stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma step away from Test cricket.Reflecting on his journey, Pujara wrote, "As a little boy from the small town of Rajkot, along with my parents, I set out to aim for the stars; and dreamt to be a part of the Indian cricket team. Little did I know then that this game would give me so much – invaluable opportunities, experiences, purpose, love, and above all a chance to represent my state and this great nation."Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!He added, "Wearing the Indian jersey, singing the anthem, and trying my best each time I stepped on the field – it’s impossible to put into words what it truly meant. But as they say, all good things must come to an end, and with immense gratitude I have decided to retire from all forms of Indian cricket."Pujara thanked the cricketing institutions that supported his career, writing, "I would like to thank the BCCI, and Saurashtra Cricket Association for the opportunity and support through my cricket career. Am equally grateful to all the teams, franchises and counties I have been able to represent over the years."He also acknowledged the guidance he received along the way, "I wouldn’t have made it this far without the invaluable guidance of my mentors, coaches and spiritual guru – to them I shall always remain indebted."In a second note, Pujara extended his gratitude to those who worked behind the scenes, "A big thank you to all my teammates, support staff, net bowlers, analysts, logistics team, umpires, ground staff, scorers, media personnel and all those who tirelessly work behind the scenes to enable us to compete and play this game we love."He continued, "To my sponsors, partners and management team – I truly appreciate your loyalty and belief in me over the years, and for looking after my off-field activities."On the role of fans, he wrote, "The game has taken me to places across the globe – and the passionate support and energy of the fans has always been a constant. I have been humbled by the wishes and motivation wherever I have played and will always remain grateful."Finally, he dedicated his journey to his loved ones, "And of course none of all this would have been possible or meaningful without the innumerable sacrifices and steadfast support of my family – my parents, my wife Puja, my daughter Aditi; my in-laws and the rest of my extended family – who have made this journey truly worth it. I look forward to the next phase of my life, spending more time with and prioritizing them."Signing off, Pujara expressed, "Thank you for all the love and support!"