When you think about patience, grit, and sheer determination in cricket, one name instantly comes to mind – Cheteshwar Pujara. Often called the “Wall 2.0” after Rahul Dravid, Pujara has become the backbone of India’s Test batting lineup over the last decade. While the world celebrates flashy T20 shots, Pujara quietly holds his ground, saving matches and scripting famous Indian victories with his resilience.
In this article, we’ll walk through Pujara’s journey – his early life, career stats, achievements, and the qualities that make him one of the most respected cricketers of modern times.
Early Life and Background
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Full Name: Cheteshwar Arvind Pujara
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Born: January 25, 1988 (37 years old)
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Birthplace: Rajkot, Gujarat
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Role: Specialist Batsman
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Batting Style: Right-handed bat
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Bowling Style: Right-arm legbreak
Coming from a simple background in Rajkot, Pujara’s story is all about discipline and hard work. His father, Arvind Pujara, played first-class cricket for Saurashtra and nurtured Cheteshwar’s love for the game. Unlike many cricketers who grew up in academies, Pujara’s early training was heavily home-grown and focused on one thing – batting long hours without losing focus.
Why Fans Call Him India’s Test Specialist
In a cricketing era dominated by T20 leagues and big-hitting batters, Pujara chose a different path. His technique and temperament made him an ideal Test cricket specialist.
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He doesn’t play fancy scoop shots.
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He doesn’t look for sixes every over.
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But when the ball is swinging, the pitch is turning, or the team is under pressure, Pujara is the guy you want at the crease.
This mindset has earned him comparisons to Rahul Dravid and made him one of India’s most reliable Test batsmen in overseas tours.
Cheteshwar Pujara’s Test Career Stats
Let’s break down his numbers in the longest format:
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Matches: 103
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Innings: 176
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Runs: 7,195
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Highest Score: 206
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Average: 43.61
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Strike Rate: 44.37
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100s: 19
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50s: 35
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Double Hundreds: 3
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Fours: 863
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Sixes: 16
What these numbers show is not just consistency but the ability to convert starts into big scores. His double hundreds against strong oppositions stand as a reminder of his match-saving abilities.
Pujara in Limited-Overs Cricket
Although he’s a giant in Test cricket, Pujara’s limited-overs journey never really took off.
ODI Stats:
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Matches: 5
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Runs: 51
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Average: 10.20
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Highest Score: 27
T20I Stats:
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Matches: 0 (he never played for India in this format)
Pujara’s slow strike rate and traditional style made it difficult for him to fit into India’s ODI and T20 setup. However, that never stopped him from being a mainstay in Tests.
Pujara in IPL – The Short Story
Yes, Cheteshwar Pujara has played in the IPL! While many fans forget this, here’s a quick look:
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Matches: 30
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Runs: 390
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Highest Score: 51
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Average: 20.53
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Strike Rate: 99.75
He represented teams like Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). However, he couldn’t quite replicate his Test success in the shortest format.
Pujara’s Bowling Career (Rare Sight!)
Although primarily a batsman, Pujara has bowled a handful of overs in Tests:
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Balls Bowled: 12
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Runs Conceded: 3
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Wickets: 0
Fun fact – his economy rate is an impressive 1.5 runs per over, but India never really used him as a bowler.
Career Timeline – From Debut to Now
Here’s a quick timeline of Pujara’s international journey:
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Test Debut: vs Australia, October 9, 2010 (Bangalore)
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Last Test: vs Australia, June 7, 2023 (Kennington Oval)
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ODI Debut: vs Zimbabwe, August 1, 2013
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Last ODI: vs Bangladesh, June 19, 2014
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IPL Debut: 2010 for Kolkata Knight Riders
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Last IPL Match: 2014 for Kings XI Punjab
Memorable Knocks Fans Still Talk About
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2017 Border-Gavaskar Trophy: His marathon 202-run innings in Ranchi against Australia was a masterclass in concentration, lasting more than 11 hours at the crease.
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2018–19 Australia Tour: Pujara was the architect of India’s historic Test series win in Australia. His knocks of 123, 71, and 193 were crucial to breaking Australia’s dominance at home.
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Double Century vs England (2012): His 206 at Ahmedabad established him as India’s next big Test player after Dravid.
What Makes Pujara Unique?
If you’re wondering why Pujara stands out, here are a few reasons:
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Mental Toughness: He can bat through hostile spells from the world’s best bowlers.
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Patience: While T20 stars aim for strike rates, Pujara aims for survival and stability.
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Team-First Attitude: He’s happy playing the anchor while others attack.
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Overseas Record: Some of his best knocks have come in challenging overseas conditions.
Cheteshwar Pujara’s Role in Modern Cricket
Some critics argue that Test specialists are a dying breed in today’s cricket. But Pujara proves otherwise. He shows that cricket still needs players who can wear down bowlers, save matches, and build foundations for victories.
In fact, India’s overseas Test success in the last decade owes a lot to Pujara’s grit. His performances in Australia and England gave India stability when flashy shots could have led to collapses.
Also Read : Virat Kohli Profile – Age, Career Info & Stats
Legacy and Inspiration
At 37, Pujara may not have too many years left at the top level, but his contribution to Indian cricket is already legendary. Young cricketers can learn from his:
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Dedication to Test cricket
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Ability to stay calm under pressure
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Commitment to playing for the team rather than personal glory
He’s living proof that in cricket, sometimes patience beats power.
Final Thoughts
Cheteshwar Pujara’s career is a story of resilience, discipline, and quiet brilliance. While he may not dominate headlines like Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma, his value to the Indian team is priceless. The next time India is in trouble in a Test match, you can bet fans will still be saying, “Don’t worry, Pujara is at the crease.”
