Cheteshwar Pujara, known as India’s dependable middle-order mainstay in the post-Rahul Dravid era, has made it clear that he has no immediate plans to retire from cricket. Despite his recent appearances in the commentary box, including his assignment for the high-profile Anderson-Tendulkar series, Pujara firmly stated in the ESPN Cricinfo Podcast that he is not stepping away from the game just yet.
The veteran batter appeared on the podcast alongside his wife, Puja Pabari. During the show, he was shown a clip of India’s Test captain Rohit Sharma affirming that Pujara had not retired. The clip was from the aftermath of the Gabba draw during the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a press conference that also saw Ravichandran Ashwin unexpectedly announce his retirement. Reacting to the video, Pujara supported Rohit’s remarks and shared his thoughts on continuing his cricketing journey.
“He is saying that I have not retired and I am not done yet. I would agree to that,” Pujara said during the podcast. “This is the phase that I am still enjoying my cricket. I will think about the retirement part later. But at the moment, I am someone who likes to live in the present.” His statement reassured fans that he is still passionate about the game and is not looking to hang up his boots anytime soon.
Though Pujara is no longer a regular feature in the Indian Test squad, especially since the 2023 World Test Championship final at The Oval against Australia, he has been consistently active in domestic and county cricket. At 37, he remains a prominent figure in the first-class circuit, proving that his dedication to the sport remains undiminished.
Pujara has also been taking on mentorship and off-field roles, recently presenting the debut Test cap to Sai Sudharsan during the first match at Headingley in England. His transition into commentary and leadership roles on tour suggests that while his international opportunities may be limited for now, his presence in the cricketing world—both on and off the field—continues to grow.