Cheteshwar Pujara retired in August 2025 after a decorated Test career, renowned for his defensive mastery and resilience. Born on January 25, 1988, in Rajkot, he was celebrated as the 'modern-day wall' of Indian cricket.
Cheteshwar Pujara, born on January 25, 1988, in Rajkot, Gujarat, stands as one of India’s most trusted and technically refined Test cricketers. Celebrated as the modern-day wall, he built his reputation through an old-school, patient approach at the crease. His international debut arrived in a Test match against Australia in 2010, and he steadily grew into a pillar of India’s red-ball team, especially excelling in challenging overseas conditions. A defining highlight of his career came during the 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Over four Tests, he absorbed more than 1,200 deliveries, providing the backbone for India’s historic series victory. His contributions to Test cricket cemented his legacy as one of the most respected figures in the format. On August 24, 2025, Pujara announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, marking the end of an illustrious journey as the modern wall and one of India’s most accomplished Test players. Cheteshwar Pujara is widely regarded as one of India’s most reliable and technically gifted Test batsmen. He made his Test debut in 2010 against Australia and, over time, became an indispensable part of the team’s red-ball strategy, often delivering under pressure in demanding overseas tours. Though he never played T20 internationals and had a limited ODI career, his impact in Test cricket remained unmatched. Standing at approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, he balanced cricket with academics, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree while climbing the ranks. Off the field, he is a devoted family man, married to Puja Pabari, with whom he shares a daughter. As of 2025, Cheteshwar Pujara’s net worth is estimated at around USD 3 million. Cheteshwar Pujara hails from a modest Hindu Brahmin family in Rajkot, Gujarat, and has often been seen visiting Hindu religious sites with his family for blessings. Cheteshwar Pujara was raised in a simple family background in Rajkot, Gujarat. His father, Arvind Pujara, a former first-class cricketer, played a pivotal role in shaping his cricketing journey. More than a parent, Arvind served as his first coach and mentor. His mother, Reena Pujara, provided unwavering support throughout his early years, though she passed away from cancer when he was just 17 years old. In 2013, he tied the knot with Puja Pabari, and the couple now enjoys a joyful life with their daughter, Aditi, born in 2018. Arvind Pujara has been a monumental influence on Cheteshwar’s cricketing path. Having represented Saurashtra at the first-class level, Arvind possessed deep cricketing knowledge and took on the responsibility of coaching and guiding Cheteshwar from a young age. Cheteshwar Pujara’s late mother, Reena, was a loving figure in his life. Her passing due to cancer when he was 17 left a deep impact, but her love and values continue to guide him. No verified information exists regarding Cheteshwar Pujara’s siblings. Multiple reports confirm he is an only child. Cheteshwar Pujara does not have any brothers or sisters. Throughout his international and domestic cricket career, Cheteshwar Pujara wore jersey number 15 consistently. Cheteshwar Pujara shares a close bond with his wife, Puja Pabari, whom he married in 2013. Puja, who holds qualifications in management and human resources, has been a steady source of support throughout his career. The couple welcomed their daughter, Aditi, in 2018. Beyond cricket, Cheteshwar and Puja Pabari ventured into publishing with the release of Puja’s debut book, *The Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife: A Very Unusual Memoir*. In this memoir, Puja offers an intimate look into life as the spouse of one of India’s most composed and disciplined cricketers, discussing the sacrifices, long absences, and hidden realities of a professional athlete’s life that often go unnoticed. Puja Pabari, Cheteshwar Pujara’s wife, holds a background in management and human resources. After their marriage in 2013, she chose to step back from her professional career to support Cheteshwar’s rigorous cricketing commitments. Cheteshwar Pujara’s international career began with his Test debut in October 2010 against Australia in Bangalore. He quickly established himself as a dependable figure in India’s middle order, particularly excelling in stabilizing innings under pressure. One of his most unforgettable performances came during the 2018 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide, where he crafted a determined double century, scoring 202 runs. Spending over eight hours at the crease, he anchored India’s innings in challenging Australian conditions and played a pivotal role in securing the historic series win. Cheteshwar Pujara’s brilliance shines most brightly in Test cricket, where he has served as India’s rock throughout his career. He participated in 103 Test matches, remained unbeaten 11 times, and amassed over 7,000 runs at a solid batting average of 43.6. His highest Test score is an unbeaten 206. Across Tests, he has faced more than 16,000 deliveries with a steady strike rate just above 44. He has registered 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries, including 863 fours and 16 sixes, reinforcing his reputation as the modern-day wall. His ODI career, however, remained limited, featuring only five matches and 51 runs. He is the 13th Indian cricketer to play 100 Test matches and holds the record for the most double centuries by an Indian in first-class cricket (18), as well as the highest number of first-class centuries by an Indian (66), surpassing legends such as Brian Lara. Among his standout innings are a gritty 202 against Australia in Ranchi, a marathon unbeaten 206 against England in Ahmedabad, and a resilient 56 at the Gabba during India’s iconic 2021 victory. He is also one of the few Indian players to have batted on all five days of a Test match. As of 2026, Cheteshwar Pujara is 37 years old. He was born on January 25, 1988. Cheteshwar Pujara maintains a strong and affectionate relationship with his wife, Puja Pabari, whom he married in 2013. Puja, who has a professional background in management and human resources, has been a steadfast pillar of support throughout his career. As of 2025, Cheteshwar Pujara’s net worth is estimated to be around ₹24 crore, approximately USD 3 million. He held a Grade A central contract from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, earning ₹5 crore annually, along with match fees of ₹15 lakh per Test. Among his career achievements, a standout moment arrived during the 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he was named Player of the Series after accumulating 521 runs across four Tests. In recognition of his contributions, he received the Arjuna Award in 2022. All images included are for editorial purposes only. Usage rights are solely with Getty/Source.