Former India batter Robin Uthappa has shared his thoughts on Cheteshwar Pujara’s retirement, suggesting that the veteran batter may have delayed the decision. Uthappa believes Pujara should have called time on his career earlier, particularly after being left out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad in 2024. Speaking on YouTube, Uthappa said, “I think he overextended his stay a little bit. I think it was communicated to him that he will not be considered anymore and this England tour was the final straw. It seemed very bleak for Indian cricket to go back to him, Rahane, at the start of a new cycle. I reckoned when he didn’t get picked in that Australia tour, he could have called it time. But obviously, it is very hard.” Pujara, one of India’s greatest Test specialists, retired recently after being overlooked for the England Tests and excluded from the Duleep Trophy. He ended his international career with 7195 runs from 103 matches, but had not featured for India since 2023.
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Uthappa, while critical of the timing, also praised Pujara’s determination and shared a fond memory from domestic cricket. He recalled a Ranji Trophy match between Karnataka and Saurashtra in 2009-10 when Pujara scored a triple century. “He was batting on 200 at stumps. I went early next morning for practice and he was already there at 7:30, having scored a double hundred the previous day. That showed his obsession with batting and his hunger to be not out,” Uthappa said. For Uthappa, Pujara’s legacy is clear. While the retirement may have come later than expected, his contribution to Indian Test cricket remains unforgettable.
