View source for Cheteshwar Pujara

{{Redirect|Pujara|his father|Arvind Pujara}}
{{Short description|Indian cricketer (born 1988)}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox cricketer
| name = Cheteshwar Pujara
| image = Cheteshwar Pujara.jpg
| caption = Pujara in 2019
| alt = Cheteshwar Pujara
| country = India
| fullname = Cheteshwar Arvind Pujara
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|1|25|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Rajkot]], [[Gujarat]], India
| batting = Right-handed
| bowling = Right arm [[leg break]]
| role = [[Batting order (cricket)#Top order|Top-order batter]]
| family = [[Arvind Pujara]] (father), Bipin Pujara (uncle)
| international = true
| internationalspan = 2010-2023

| testdebutdate = 9 October
| testdebutyear = 2010
| testdebutagainst = Australia
| testcap = 266
| lasttestdate = 7 June
| lasttestyear = 2023
| lasttestagainst = Australia

| odidebutdate = 1 August
| odidebutyear = 2013
| odidebutagainst = Zimbabwe
| odicap = 198
| lastodidate = 19 June
| lastodiyear = 2014
| lastodiagainst = Bangladesh
| odishirt = 16

| club1 = [[Saurashtra cricket team|Saurashtra]]
| year1 = {{nowrap|2005–present}}
| club2 = [[Kolkata Knight Riders]]
| year2 = 2010
| club3 = [[Royal Challengers Bangalore]]
| year3 = 2011–2013
| club4 = [[Kings XI Punjab]]
| year4 = 2014
| club5 = [[Derbyshire County Cricket Club|Derbyshire]]
| year5 = 2014
| club6 = [[Yorkshire County Cricket Club|Yorkshire]]
| year6 = 2015
| club7 = [[Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club|Nottinghamshire]]
| year7 = 2017
| club8 = [[Yorkshire County Cricket Club|Yorkshire]]
| year8 = 2018
| club9 = [[Chennai Super Kings]]
| year9 = 2021
| club10 = [[Sussex County Cricket Club|Sussex]]
| year10 = {{nowrap|2022–2024}}
| columns = 4
| column1 = [[Test cricket|Test]]
| matches1 = 103
| runs1 = 7,195
| bat avg1 = 43.60
| 100s/50s1 = 19/35
| top score1 = 206[[not out|*]]
| deliveries1 = 12
| wickets1 = 0
| bowl avg1 = –
| fivefor1 = –
| tenfor1 = –
| best bowling1 = –
| catches/stumpings1 = 66/–
| column2 = [[One Day International|ODI]]
| matches2 = 5
| runs2 = 51
| bat avg2 = 10.20
| 100s/50s2 = 0/0
| top score2 = 27
| deliveries2 = –
| wickets2 = –
| bowl avg2 = –
| fivefor2 = –
| tenfor2 = –
| best bowling2 = –
| catches/stumpings2 = 0/–
| column3 = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
| matches3 = 278
| runs3 = 21,301
| bat avg3 = 51.82
| 100s/50s3 = 66/81
| top score3 = 352
| deliveries3 = 263
| wickets3 = 6
| bowl avg3 = 27.66
| fivefor3 = 0
| tenfor3 = 0
| best bowling3 = 2/4
| catches/stumpings3 = 160/0
| column4 = [[List A cricket|LA]]
| matches4 = 130
| runs4 = 5,759
| bat avg4 = 57.01
| 100s/50s4 = 16/34
| top score4 = 174
| deliveries4 = 6
| wickets4 = 0
| bowl avg4 = –
| fivefor4 = –
| tenfor4 = –
| best bowling4 = –
| catches/stumpings4 = 47/–
| date = 25 March 2025 
|medaltemplates=<!--MENTION HOST NATIONS FOR TEAM SPORTS-->
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Cricket]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{IND}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[World Test Championship|ICC World Test Championship]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2019–2021 World Test Championship|2019–2021]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2021–2023 World Test Championship|2021–2023]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Under-19 Cricket World Cup|ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2006 Under-19 Cricket World Cup|2006 Sri Lanka]]|}}
| source = [https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/17/17473/17473.html CricketArchive]
}}
'''Cheteshwar Arvind Pujara''' (born 25 January 1988) is an Indian [[cricket]]er who represented the [[India national cricket team|Indian national team]] for over thirteen years. Pujara currently plays for [[Saurashtra cricket team|Saurashtra]] in Indian domestic cricket and for [[Sussex County Cricket Club|Sussex Cricket club]] in [[County Championship|English County Championship]]. A specialist in [[first-class cricket]] throughout his career, Pujara is known for his disciplined and patient batting style which made him an integral part of the Indian [[Test cricket|Test]] team for over a decade. He has played in over 100 Test matches for India.<ref name=":1" /> His excellent batting was one of the main reasons of India winning their first-ever test series in Australia in [[Indian cricket team in Australia in 2018–19|2018-19]] tour.<ref>{{Cite news |title=India win first ever Test series in Australia after Sydney Test ends in a draw. |work=[[India Today]] |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/india-vs-australia-4th-test-day-5-report-historic-series-win-2-1-virat-kohli-1424987-2019-01-07}}</ref>

Pujara made his [[first-class cricket|first-class]] debut for Saurashtra in December 2005 and made his Test debut at Bangalore in October 2010.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/32540.html|title=Cheteshwar Pujara|access-date=14 September 2016}}</ref> He also played 5 ODI matches for India.

He was a part of the India A team which toured England in the 2010 summer and was the highest scorer of the tour. In October 2011, the [[Board of Control for Cricket in India|BCCI]] awarded him a D grade national contract. Known to have a sound technique and the temperament required to play long innings, he was one of the contenders for a spot in the [[India cricket team|Indian middle order]] after the retirement of [[Rahul Dravid]] and [[VVS Laxman]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Marks|first=Vic|title=India can build their future on Cheteshwar Pujara|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/nov/16/cheteshwar-pujara-india-england|work=The Guardian|access-date=4 December 2012|location=Ahmedabad|date=16 November 2012}}</ref> and was a part of the [[Indian Premier League|IPL]] 2021 winning team Chennai Super Kings.

His [[Test cricket|Test]] comeback came against [[New Zealand national cricket team|New Zealand]] in August 2012, scoring a century. He made his first double hundred against [[England national cricket team|England]] at [[Ahmedabad]] in November 2012<ref name="wisdenindia1">{{cite news| url= http://www.wisdenindia.com/match-report/pujara-yuvraj-extend-indias-dominance/35411| title= Spinners strike after Pujara double ton| publisher=Wisden India| date= 15 November 2012| access-date= 16 November 2012| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131216010557/http://www.wisdenindia.com/match-report/pujara-yuvraj-extend-indias-dominance/35411| archive-date= 16 December 2013| url-status= dead}}</ref> and followed up with another double hundred against Australia in March 2013, both the times steering India to victory and becoming man of the match.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://www.wisdenindia.com/scorecard/India-v-Australia-Test-Series-2013/2nd-Test/India-vs-Australia/35648.html| title= India vs Australia, 2nd Test at Hyderabad scorecard| publisher=Wisden India| date= 4 March 2013| access-date= 4 March 2013| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131018173322/http://www.wisdenindia.com/scorecard/India-v-Australia-Test-Series-2013/2nd-Test/India-vs-Australia/35648.html| archive-date= 18 October 2013| url-status= dead}}</ref>

In the 2012 [[NKP Salve Challenger Trophy]], he was the highest scorer with two centuries and one half-century. He became one of the fastest batsmen to reach 1000 runs in Test cricket in just 11 matches and his 18th Test Innings. He won the [[ICC Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year|Emerging Cricketer of the Year]] 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last=The Guardian|title=Ashes captains Clarke and Cook both hit a ton and pick up an annual award|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/dec/13/ashes-captains-michael-clarke-alastair-cook|access-date=13 December 2013|date=13 December 2013}}</ref>

In February 2017, during the one-off Test match [[Bangladeshi cricket team in India in 2016–17|against Bangladesh]], he set a new record for the most runs by a batsman in an Indian [[first-class cricket|first-class]] season, with 1,605 runs.<ref name="FC1605">{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/india-v-bangladesh-2016-17/content/story/1081659.html |title=Pujara breaks record for most runs in an Indian first-class season |access-date=9 February 2017 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> The previous record was 1,604 runs set by [[Chandu Borde]] in 1964–65.<ref name="FC1605"/> In November 2017, he scored his twelfth double-century in first-class cricket, the most by an Indian batsman, breaking the previous record set by [[Vijay Merchant]].<ref name="Pujara200">{{cite news |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8050/report/1118651/day/2/ |title=Pujara back to old ways, scores 12th double-century |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=2 November 2017 |access-date=2 November 2017}}</ref><ref name="Merchant">{{cite news |url=https://thefield.scroll.in/856417/cheteshwar-pujara-goes-past-vijay-merchants-all-time-double-ton-record-in-fc-cricket |title=Cheteshwar Pujara goes past Vijay Merchant's all-time double-ton record in FC cricket |publisher=Scroll.in |date=2 November 2017 |access-date=2 November 2017}}</ref>

He was awarded a Grade B contract by the BCCI in March 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hardik Pandya get demoted in BCCI central contracts |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/cheteshwar-pujara-ajinkya-rahane-hardik-pandya-get-demoted-in-bcci-central-contracts/articleshow/89952521.cms |access-date=24 October 2023 |work=Times of India |date=2 March 2022}}</ref> However, following a string of poor performances Pujara was dropped from the Indian National Team after a poor showing at the World Test Championship Final in 2023.

In June 2025 Pujara joined the BBC Test Match Special commentary team as a colour commentator/analyst for the first test of the series between England and India at Headingley.

== Early and personal life ==
Cheteshwar Pujara was born in Rajkot, Gujarat on 25 January 1988 in a [[Hinduism|Hindu]] family. His father [[Arvind Pujara|Arvind]] and his uncle [[Bipin Pujara|Bipin]] were [[Ranji Trophy]] players for [[Saurashtra cricket team|Saurashtra]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Pandya|first=Haresh|date=21 June 2015|title=My father made me a Test cricketer|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/20637940/my-father-made-test-cricketer|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105210941/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/20637940/cheteshwar-pujara-my-father-made-test-cricketer|archive-date=5 November 2020|access-date=2020-11-05|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref> His father and his mother, Reema Pujara, recognized his talents early and Cheteshwar practised with his father. He first started playing with the leather ball at the age of 13.<ref name=":0" /> His mother died in 2005 when he was 17 due to cancer.<ref name=":0" /> Cheteshwar Pujara completed his [[Bachelor of Business Administration|BBA]] from J. J. Kundalia College.

He married Puja Pabari in Rajkot on 13 February 2013.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cheteshwar Pujara starting married innings - Indian Express |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/cheteshwar-pujara-starting-married-innings/1073681/ |work=archive.indianexpress.com}}</ref> On 22 February 2018, the couple became parents of a baby girl, Aditi.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cheteshwar Pujara blessed with a baby girl |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/sports/pics-inside-cheteshwar-pujara-blessed-baby-girl-1502590617.html |access-date=24 October 2023 |work=The Statesman |date=23 February 2018}}</ref>

== Youth career ==
Pujara made his Under-19 Test debut for [[India Under-19 cricket team|India]] against England in 2005. Opening the innings, he scored 211 runs to help India win by an innings and 137 runs.<ref>{{Cite news|date=3 December 2012|title=Pujara – promise and patience|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/pujara-promise-and-patience/article4161141.ece|access-date=13 November 2020}}</ref> He was also picked in the Indian squad for the [[2006 Under-19 Cricket World Cup]] after scoring three fifties in four innings of the Afro-Asia Under-19 Cup.<ref>{{Cite news|date=24 February 2017|title=India's 2006 under-19 World Cup squad - Where are they now?|work=Sportskeeda|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/indias-2006-under-19-world-cup-squad-where-are-they-now|access-date=13 November 2020}}</ref> He was the leading run-scorer of the Under-19 World Cup where he scored 349 runs from 6 innings, including three fifties and a century, at an average of 117.<ref>{{Cite news|title=ICC UNDER-19 WORLD CUP, 2005/06 / RECORDS / MOST RUNS|work=ESPNcricinfo|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/u19-worldcup/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=2616;type=tournament|access-date=13 November 2020}}</ref> He was the Man of the Tournament in the [[2006 Under-19 Cricket World Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2006-02-21|title=Pujara man of the U-19 World Cup|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/pujara-man-of-the-u-19-world-cup/story-U7qsGQcImNQEvOLlPtVrjK.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105204934/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/pujara-man-of-the-u-19-world-cup/story-U7qsGQcImNQEvOLlPtVrjK.html|archive-date=5 November 2020|access-date=2020-11-05|website=[[Hindustan Times]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Gupta|first=Rishabh|date=2020-01-17|title=U-19 World Cup: Four Indians who won the Man of the Tournament award - Where are they now?|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/cricket-2020-u-19-world-cup-four-indians-man-of-tournament-award-where-are-they-now-580394|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105205112/https://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/cricket-2020-u-19-world-cup-four-indians-man-of-tournament-award-where-are-they-now-580394|archive-date=5 November 2020|access-date=2020-11-05|website=www.indiatvnews.com|language=en}}</ref>

He scored 97 runs against the [[West Indies Under-19 cricket team|West Indies]] in the quarterfinals<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India Under-19s vs West Indies Under-19s Quarter-Final 2006 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8368/scorecard/236617/india-under-19s-vs-west-indies-under-19s-quarter-final-icc-under-19-world-cup-2005-06|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420133118/http://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8368/scorecard/236617/india-under-19s-vs-west-indies-under-19s-quarter-final-icc-under-19-world-cup-2005-06|archive-date=20 April 2019|access-date=2020-11-05|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref> before scoring 129 runs [[not out]] against [[England Under-19 cricket team|England]] in the semifinals,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India Under-19s vs England Under-19s Semi-Final 2006 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8368/scorecard/237158/england-under-19s-vs-india-under-19s-semi-final-icc-under-19-world-cup-2005-06|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212065548/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8368/scorecard/237158/england-under-19s-vs-india-under-19s-semi-final-icc-under-19-world-cup-2005-06|archive-date=12 February 2020|access-date=2020-11-05|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref> helping India win by a huge margin of 234 runs. However, he was dismissed for a duck in the final, against Pakistan, which India eventually lost.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of Pakistan Under-19s vs India Under-19s Final 2006 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8368/scorecard/237829/india-under-19s-vs-pakistan-under-19s-final-icc-under-19-world-cup-2005-06|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201016211247/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8368/scorecard/237829/india-under-19s-vs-pakistan-under-19s-final-icc-under-19-world-cup-2005-06|archive-date=16 October 2020|access-date=2020-11-05|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>

== Domestic career ==

He scored 10 and 203 not out from just 221 balls against [[Madhya Pradesh cricket team|Madhya Pradesh]] at the [[Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium]] at [[Rajkot]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=With last fifty off 17, Pujara breaks mould on way to 203* - Indian Express|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/with-last-fifty-off-17-pujara-breaks-mould-on-way-to-203-/1052666/|access-date=2020-11-05|website=archive.indianexpress.com}}</ref> to ensure a 203-run victory which qualified [[Saurashtra cricket team|Saurashtra]] for the [[2012–13 Ranji Trophy]] quarter-finals. In his next match, the quarter-final at [[Saurashtra University]] in [[Rajkot]] against [[Karnataka cricket team|Karnataka]], he scored 37 and 352 (dismissed by [[off spinner]] K. Gowtham in both innings) to ensure that Saurashtra progressed to the semifinal.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of Saurashtra vs Karnataka 2nd Quarter-Final 2013 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8050/scorecard/574131/saurashtra-vs-karnataka-2nd-quarter-final-ranji-trophy-2012-13|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018020505/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8050/scorecard/574131/saurashtra-vs-karnataka-2nd-quarter-final-ranji-trophy-2012-13|archive-date=18 October 2019|access-date=2020-11-05|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref> Though he was called to the India ODI squad after this success, he was not selected in the first XI.

In 2013, at the age of only 25, Pujara became only the ninth batsman to score three career first-class triple-centuries. His scores were: 302* for Saurashtra against [[Orissa cricket team|Orissa]] in 2008/09, 352 for Saurashtra against Karnataka in 2012/13, and 306* for [[India A cricket team|India A]] against [[West Indies A cricket team|West Indies A]] in 2013/14.<ref>{{cite web|author=Sidharth Monga|title=Pujara's third triple-century sets up huge lead|date=11 October 2013|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/india/content/story/678823.html}}</ref> He also holds a record of scoring three triple centuries within a span of one month, although only the last of these was in a first-class match.<ref>[http://www.indianexpress.com/news/pujara-slams-third-triple-ton-in-a-month-this-time-against-orissa/384494 Pujara slams third triple ton in a month, this time against Orissa]. The Indian Express. Retrieved on 22 November 2012.</ref>

Pujara played for the [[Kolkata Knight Riders]] in the first three seasons of the IPL. In the 2011 players' auction, he was bought by the [[Royal Challengers Bangalore]] (RCB). He started for RCB for the fourth season of the IPL before injuring his knee in a match against [[Kochi Tuskers Kerala]]. The injury kept him out of action for nearly a year before he returned to domestic cricket at the end of 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pandey|first=Devendra|date=10 May 2011|title=Sehwag injured, set to miss WI tour - Indian Express|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/sehwag-injured-set-to-miss-wi-tour/788229/|access-date=2020-11-05|website=archive.indianexpress.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|agency=PTI|date=2011-06-17|title=IPL perfect platform for youngsters: Pujara|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/ipl-perfect-platform-for-youngsters-pujara/article2112809.ece|url-status=live|access-date=2020-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105205606/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/ipl-perfect-platform-for-youngsters-pujara/article2112809.ece|archive-date=5 November 2020|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

In the [[2013–14 Ranji Trophy]], he played a lone hand against [[Bengal cricket team|Bengal]] at [[Eden Gardens]] in November as he scored 102, though his side was bowled out for a meagre 225 in response to [[Bengal cricket team|Bengal]]'s 303. In the next match against [[Tamil Nadu cricket team|Tamil Nadu]] at [[Chennai]], he scored a mammoth 269, and struck a 353-run partnership with [[Jaydev Shah]] (195) to post a score of 581/6 in response to [[Tamil Nadu cricket team|Tamil Nadu]]'s 565.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/649265.html|title=Group B: Tamil Nadu v Saurashtra at Chennai, Nov 28 – Dec 1, 2013 – Cricket Scorecard – ESPNcricinfo|access-date=14 September 2016}}</ref>

In 2014 [[Indian Premier League|IPL]], Pujara began the season as [[Virender Sehwag]]'s opening partner and was left out after the first six matches in which he made 125 runs at an average of just 25 at a strike rate of 100.80. After having not been picked by any franchise for the [[2015 Indian Premier League|2015 IPL season]], he signed for [[Yorkshire County Cricket Club|Yorkshire]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Yorkshire sign Pujara after Younis pulls out|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/857915.html|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=1 April 2015|access-date=8 April 2015}}</ref>

Pujara was the leading run-scorer for Saurashtra in the [[2017–18 Ranji Trophy|2017–18 edition]] of the Ranji Trophy, making 437 runs in four matches. Joining the side for the quarter-final in the [[2018–19 Ranji Trophy|next edition]], he helped his team chase down a target of 372 runs against Uttar Pradesh, the highest ever in Ranji Trophy history, making 67 [[not out]] in the fourth innings.<ref>{{cite news |title=Saurashtra pull off highest chase in Ranji Trophy history, join Vidarbha in semi-finals |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25798678 |access-date=4 February 2019 |work=ESPNcricinfo |date=19 January 2019 |language=en}}</ref> In the semi-final, marked by a couple of umpiring errors that went his way, Pujara made an unbeaten 131 in the fourth innings, helping his team proceed to their third final in six years.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Chidananda |first1=Shreedutta |title=Undefeated Pujara takes Saurashtra to Ranji Trophy final |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/undefeated-pujara-takes-saurashtra-to-ranji-trophy-final/article26111096.ece |access-date=4 February 2019 |work=The Hindu |date=28 January 2019 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Somani |first1=Saurabh |title=Lack of DRS in focus as Pujara rides his luck in Ranji semi-final |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25869947 |access-date=4 February 2019 |work=ESPNcricinfo |date=28 January 2019 |language=en}}</ref> In the opening round of the [[Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy]] that [[2018–19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy|season]], he scored his maiden T20 century and became the first batsman for Saurashtra to score a century in a T20 match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/26043872 |title=Iyer's 147 smashes domestic T20 record, Pujara hits maiden T20 ton |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=21 February 2019}}</ref>
[[File:1 36 Pujara out.jpg|thumb|right|Pujara playing for Sussex in 2023.]]

In January 2020, in the [[2019–20 Ranji Trophy]], Pujara scored his 50th century in first-class cricket.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/28462069/cheteshwar-pujara-joins-elite-list-50th-first-class-ton |title=Cheteshwar Pujara joins elite list with 50th first-class ton |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=11 January 2020}}</ref>

In February 2021, Pujara was bought by the [[Chennai Super Kings]] for 50 lakhs in the [[List of 2021 Indian Premier League personnel changes|IPL auction]] ahead of the [[2021 Indian Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2021-auction-the-list-of-sold-and-unsold-players-1252152 |title=IPL 2021 auction: The list of sold and unsold players |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 February 2021}}</ref> He however did not get a chance to play in any match.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IPLT20.com - Indian Premier League Official Website|url=https://www.iplt20.com/teams/chennai-super-kings/squad/156/cheteshwar-pujara|access-date=2021-10-22|website=www.iplt20.com|language=en|archive-date=22 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022153126/https://www.iplt20.com/teams/chennai-super-kings/squad/156/cheteshwar-pujara|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In April 2022, in the [[2022 County Championship]] in England, Pujara and [[Tom Haines]] became the first batters to score double centuries in the same innings of a first-class match while [[follow-on|following-on]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/stats-cheteshwar-pujara-ends-his-century-drought-with-record-double-ton-1311319 |title=Stats - Pujara ends 52-innings century drought with record 201* |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 April 2022}}</ref>

In July 2022, Pujara scored a century in his first game as Sussex captain against Middlesex in the [[2022 County Championship]] in England. This was his [https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/cheteshwar-pujara-scores-ton-in-first-game-as-sussex-captain-8039915/ fifth century in this county season].

==International career==

===Test debut===
Pujara was selected for the Indian squad for the 2 match home Test series against [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] in 2010, replacing [[Yuvraj Singh]]. He made his debut in the second Test of the series on 9 October 2010 at [[Bangalore]] after both [[Gautam Gambhir]] and VVS Laxman were down with injuries sustained in the First Test.

While Laxman was off the field injured in the First Test, Pujara took two catches at silly point as a substitute. In his first Test innings, Pujara scored four runs before getting out [[leg before wicket|LBW]] to [[Mitchell Johnson (cricketer)|Mitchell Johnson]] on the third ball he faced.

In the second innings, Pujara was sent in at number three in place of [[Rahul Dravid]] in a tactical change by captain [[MS Dhoni]]. With India needing 207 runs to win, he made 72 before being bowled by an [[arm ball]] from [[Nathan Hauritz]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-08-11 |title=Why Dhoni Promoted Pujara To No.3 Over Dravid On Test Debut |url=https://www.wisden.com/cricket-news/why-dhoni-promoted-pujara-to-number-three-over-dravid-on-test-debut |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2025-03-23 |website=Wisden |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===Breakthrough===
In August 2012, he made a comeback into the team and made his first International Test century, 159 against [[New Zealand cricket team|New Zealand]] at [[Hyderabad]].

He was selected in India's squad to play four test matches [[English cricket team in India in 2012–13|against England]]. In the first match at [[Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera|Sardar Patel Stadium]], [[Ahmedabad]] he made an unbeaten 206 runs and helped his team to win the match and go 1–0 up in the series. He was also named man of the match for his inning. He continued his good form when he made another hundred in the second match at [[Wankhede Stadium]], [[Mumbai]]. He not only made big scores in next two matches but end the series as second highest run scorer behind England captain [[Alastair Cook]] with 438 runs.

He became the 2nd fastest Indian to get to 1,000 Test runs, during the course of his double hundred against [[Australia cricket team|Australia]] in March 2013, at [[Hyderabad]], where he put on a 370-run record 2nd wicket partnership with [[Murali Vijay]]. Only [[Vinod Kambli]] was faster.

Pujara is also the 12th fastest of all time. In terms of the number of tests (11 matches), he joined the legendary [[Sunil Gavaskar]] for the quickest Indian to reach the mark. Pujara had a brilliant test series against [[Australia cricket team|Australia]] scoring 419 runs, only second to [[Murali Vijay]]'s 430 in which he slammed a double ton's 204 and two half-centuries (52 and 82).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/india/content/records/283173.html|title=Fastest to 1,000 Test runs |publisher=ESPNcricinfo|date=4 March 2013}}</ref>

As Indian opener [[Virender Sehwag]] was struggling out of form, it provided the opportunity for Pujara who hit double and triple tons in successive Ranji trophy matches to prove his ability in shorter versions of the game, as he was selected in the 15 member squad for the ODI series against England, but was injured in practice. Following injury, he made his debut against Zimbabwe, scoring 9 runs.<ref>[http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/32540.html Cheteshwar Pujara | Cricket Players and Officials]. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved on 16 November 2012.</ref>

===Cementing his place===
On India's tour to [[South Africa cricket team|South Africa]] in 2013, he emerged as the highest run-scorer in the Test series, scoring 280 runs at an average of 70.00.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/32540.html?class=1;template=results;type=batting;view=series|title=Batting records – Test matches – ESPNcricinfo – ESPNcricinfo|access-date=14 September 2016}}</ref>

Pujara was picked for the Indian squad for the [[2014 Asia Cup]] that was held in [[Bangladesh]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 February 2014|title=Dhoni out of Asia Cup with side strain|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21554085/ms-dhoni-asia-cup-side-strain|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112033050/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21554085/ms-dhoni-asia-cup-side-strain|archive-date=12 November 2020|access-date=2020-11-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=11 February 2014|title=Raina out of Asia Cup squad|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21562593/suresh-raina-asia-cup-squad|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907085314/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21562593/suresh-raina-asia-cup-squad|archive-date=7 September 2020|access-date=2020-11-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref> Pujara played in the three-match ODI series against [[Bangladesh cricket team|Bangladesh]] in [[Indian cricket team in Bangladesh in 2014|June 2014]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 May 2014|title=Raina to lead young India side|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21499251/suresh-raina-lead-young-india-side|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107184852/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/21499251/suresh-raina-lead-young-india-side|archive-date=7 November 2020|access-date=2020-11-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref> and made 0, 11 & 27 respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of Bangladesh vs India 1st ODI 2014 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/11699/scorecard/744679/bangladesh-vs-india-1st-odi-india-tour-of-bangladesh-2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928165030/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/11699/scorecard/744679/bangladesh-vs-india-1st-odi-india-tour-of-bangladesh-2014|archive-date=28 September 2019|access-date=2020-11-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India vs Bangladesh 2nd ODI 2014 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/11699/scorecard/744681/bangladesh-vs-india-2nd-odi-india-tour-of-bangladesh-2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721142358/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/11699/scorecard/744681/bangladesh-vs-india-2nd-odi-india-tour-of-bangladesh-2014|archive-date=21 July 2020|access-date=2020-11-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India vs Bangladesh 3rd ODI 2014 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/11699/scorecard/744683/bangladesh-vs-india-3rd-odi-india-tour-of-bangladesh-2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729031427/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/11699/scorecard/744683/bangladesh-vs-india-3rd-odi-india-tour-of-bangladesh-2014|archive-date=29 July 2019|access-date=2020-11-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>

===Struggle with form===
[[File:Cheteshwar Pujara edges between Joe Root and Chris Woakes.jpg|thumb|left|Pujara (top-right) during the third Test in Southampton (2014).]]
Pujara was named in the 16-man squad for the [[Indian cricket team in England in 2014|2014 tour of England]]. With a best of 55 and a total of 222 runs in five Tests, he had a disappointing series. Despite getting good starts, he failed to convert them into big scores, struggling with his back foot movement and playing with a straighter bat,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Monga|first1=Sidharth|title=Bhuvneshwar dragged down by the rest|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/771985.html|access-date=29 July 2017|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=18 August 2014}}</ref> while also facing difficulty against the [[Seam bowling|seaming ball]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chopra|first1=Aakash|author-link1=Aakash Chopra|title=Pujara and the challenge of being a Test-only batsman|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/798727.html|access-date=29 July 2017|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=17 November 2014}}</ref> He was not a part of the squad for the ODI series that followed and upon receiving permission from the BCCI, signed for [[Derbyshire County Cricket Club|Derbyshire]] to play in their last three games of the [[2014 County Championship|season]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Derbyshire win race for Pujara|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/773655.html|access-date=29 July 2017|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=23 August 2017}}</ref> After a poor first game, he finished the stint scoring 212 runs, that included an unbeaten 90 in the win over [[Surrey County Cricket Club|Surrey]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Godleman, Pujara seal Derbyshire victory|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/781811.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=18 September 2014|access-date=30 September 2014}}</ref> and an unbeaten century against [[Leicestershire County Cricket Club|Leicestershire]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Derbyshire keen on Pujara return|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/789023.html|access-date=29 July 2017|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=13 October 2014}}</ref>

He returned to form during the three-match test series against [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]] in [[Indian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2015|August 2015]]. He scored 145 not out in the third test against them.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India vs Sri Lanka 3rd Test 2015 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/11331/scorecard/895777/sri-lanka-vs-india-3rd-test-india-tour-of-sri-lanka-2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111221456/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/11331/scorecard/895777/sri-lanka-vs-india-3rd-test-india-tour-of-sri-lanka-2015|archive-date=11 November 2020|access-date=2020-11-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref> He also played in [[Indian cricket team in Australia in 2014–15|2014 Border Gavaskar Trophy]]. In the first match at [[Adelaide Oval]] he made 73 runs in the first inning before being bowled by a [[Nathan Lyon]] delivery.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of Australia vs India 1st Test 2014 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8525/scorecard/754737/australia-vs-india-1st-test-border-gavaskar-trophy-2014-15|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111184436/https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/8525/scorecard/754737/australia-vs-india-1st-test-border-gavaskar-trophy-2014-15|archive-date=11 November 2020|access-date=2020-11-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>

===Return to form===
Pujara continued to work on his game however he remained in the reckoning for a national comeback. He made the most of an injury setback to [[Murali Vijay]] in the 2015 series in Sri Lanka, reminding the selectors of his mettle by carrying his bat through his epic unbeaten 145 on an uncharacteristically seaming wicket at the SSC, Colombo, paving the way for an Indian win in the decider. Pujara has raised the bar even further since then, hammering routine hundreds during India's long home season and the odd series in Sri Lanka and the West Indies. 
In the first Test of [[Australian cricket team in India in 2016–17|Australia's 2016–17 tour of India]] in [[Pune]], Pujara was dismissed for 6 and 31 in the two innings, with India losing the match cheaply. He played a key role in India's second inning of second Test scoring a crucial 92 in [[Bangalore]], and helped the team win the game.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Coverdale|first1=Brydon|title=Ashwin bowls India to series-levelling win|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1085643.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=21 March 2017|date=7 March 2017}}</ref> In the third Test, played in [[Ranchi]], Pujara scored 202, his third double-hundred, off 525 balls, in the first innings. In terms of balls faced, it was the longest inning by an Indian batsman.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Seervi|first1=Bharath|title=Pujara plays India's longest innings|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1087627.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=21 March 2017|date=19 March 2017}}</ref> The 11-hour knock included a 199-run partnership with [[Wriddhiman Saha]] for the seventh wicket. Following a fightback by Australia in the second innings, the match ended in a draw and Pujara was named man of the match.<ref>{{cite web|title=Unsung heroes Pujara, Saha add steel to India's armoury|url=http://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/unsung-heroes-pujara-saha-add-steel-to-indias-armoury-australia-pix/20170321.htm|work=rediff.com|access-date=21 March 2017|date=21 March 2017}}</ref> With the knock, Pujara became the first Indian to score 2,000 runs in an Indian single first-class cricket season.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Menon|first1=Mohandas|title=The Smith and Pujara batting show|url=http://www.wisdenindia.com/cricket-article/the-smith-and-pujara-batting-show/246613|work=Wisden India|access-date=21 March 2017|date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322114311/http://www.wisdenindia.com/cricket-article/the-smith-and-pujara-batting-show/246613|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the [[ICC Player Rankings|ICC Batsman Rankings]] announced following the game, Pujara was ranked a career-best second.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jadeja pips Ashwin to No.1, Pujara climbs to second in ICC rankings|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1087895.html?CMP=chrome|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=21 March 2017|date=21 March 2017}}</ref> He finished the season with 1,316 runs in Tests, the second most in a single season after Australia's [[Ricky Ponting]] (1,483).<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dutta|first1=Subhasish|title=Cheteshwar Pujara breaks Gautam Gambhir's eight-year-old record|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/cheteshwar-puajra-test-cricket-india-vs-australia/1/913255.html|access-date=29 July 2017|work=India Today|date=26 March 2017}}</ref> He also broke the record for the most runs scored in a first-class season by an Indian.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pujara breaks record for most runs in an Indian first-class season|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1081659.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=29 March 2017|date=9 February 2017}}</ref> At the end of the season, he was placed fourth in the Batsman Rankings for Tests.<ref>{{cite news|title=ICC Test Rankings: KL Rahul jumps to 11th place; Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin top two bowlers|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/icc-test-rankings-kl-rahul-jumps-to-11th-place-ravindra-jadeja-r-ashwin-top-two-bowlers-4592519/|website=The Indian Express|access-date=31 March 2017|date=30 March 2017}}</ref>

In May, ahead of the first Test of the 2017 season, he signed for [[Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club|Nottinghamshire]] on a four-match contract as a replacement to [[James Pattinson]], to play in Division Two of the [[2017 County Championship|County season]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Pujara joins Nottinghamshire as Pattinson cover|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1096117.html|access-date=29 July 2017|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=4 May 2017}}</ref> He scored a hundred in his first game, against [[Gloucestershire County Cricket Club|Gloucestershire]], scoring 112 and adding 185 runs for the fourth wicket.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Culley|first1=John|title=Pujara reacquaints himself with what he does best|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1099565.html|access-date=29 July 2017|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=26 May 2017}}</ref> The stint ended with 233 runs in a total of five innings.<ref>{{cite news|title=Would love to play in County cricket again: Pujara|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/would-love-to-play-in-county-cricket-again-pujara/articleshow/59411810.cms|access-date=29 July 2017|work=The Times of India|date=2 July 2017}}</ref> Carrying the good form, he scored his 12th Test century in the first Test of the [[Indian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2017|tour of Sri Lanka]] at [[Galle International Stadium|Galle]] in July. Striking a partnership with [[Shikhar Dhawan]] who made 190, Pujara scored 153 off 265 balls,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Loganathan|first1=Vishaal|title=Cheteshwar Pujara does his job once again|url=http://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/96086/cheteshwar-pujara-does-his-job-once-again|access-date=29 July 2017|work=CricBuzz|date=27 July 2017}}</ref> helping India record its biggest away Test win.<ref>{{cite news|title=India's biggest away win, SL's biggest defeat|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1113157.html|access-date=29 July 2017|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=29 July 2017}}</ref> He scored another hundred in the second match, his 50th Test, a first innings knock of 133. On course of the innings, he went past 4,000 runs, becoming the second fastest Indian to get there in terms of number of innings batted.<ref>{{cite news|title=India v Sri Lanka: Cheteshwar Pujara joint second-fastest Indian to 4,000 Test runs|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-sri-lanka/india-v-sri-lanka-cheteshwar-pujara-joint-second-fastest-indian-to-4000-test-runs/articleshow/59896217.cms|access-date=9 August 2017|work=The Times of India|date=3 August 2017}}</ref>

Pujara was dropped from the team for the First Test of the [[Indian cricket team in England in 2018|2018 England tour]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Rajarshi |title=Cheteshwar Pujara dropped as Team India finally runs out of patience |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/cheteshwar-pujara-dropped-england-vs-india-edgbaston-test-1302543-2018-08-01 |access-date=8 December 2018 |work=India Today |date=1 August 2018 |language=en}}</ref> Recalled to the side, he found form and made 72 in the second innings of the Third Test at [[Trent Bridge]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Datta |first1=Dwaipayan |title=Cheteshwar Pujara admits he was under pressure, credits Yorkshire stint |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/cheteshwar-pujara-admits-he-was-under-pressure-credits-yorkshire-stint/articleshow/65496757.cms |access-date=8 December 2018 |work=The Times of India |date=22 August 2018}}</ref> The innings, and guided by [[Virat Kohli]]'s 97 and 103, helped his team secure a 203-run victory, after successive defeats at Lord's and [[Edgbaston Cricket Ground|Birmingham]].<ref>{{cite news |title=India vs England, 3rd Test: India revive series with 203-run win over England |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-england/india-vs-england-3rd-test-india-revive-series-with-203-run-win-over-england/articleshow/65501337.cms |access-date=8 December 2018 |work=The Times of India |agency=Press Trust of India |date=22 August 2018}}</ref> In the Fourth Test at [[Rose Bowl (cricket ground)|Southampton]], Pujara scored his 15th Test century, and only his second outside Asia since 2013. He made an unbeaten 132 off 257 deliveries, while adding 78 runs for the final two wickets, helping his team gain a 27-run lead over England's first innings total.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shemilt |first1=Stephan |title=England v India: Moeen Ali's 5-63 inspires England fightback in fourth Test |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/45375744 |access-date=8 December 2018 |work=BBC Sport |date=31 August 2018}}</ref> However, India went on to lose the game and the next, finishing 1–4 in the series.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lofthouse |first1=Amy |title=England v India: James Anderson breaks Glenn McGrath's record in hosts' win |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/45464628 |access-date=8 December 2018 |work=BBC Sport |date=11 September 2018}}</ref> He finished the series scoring 278 runs at 39.71.<ref>{{cite web |title=Records / Pataudi Trophy, 2018 / Most runs |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=12033;type=series |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=8 December 2018}}</ref> When [[West Indian cricket team in India in 2018–19|the West Indies toured India]] later that year, he made a total of 96 runs at 48.00 in two innings.<ref>{{cite web |title=Records / West Indies in India Test Series, 2018/19 / Most runs |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=12634;type=series |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=8 December 2018}}</ref>

{{quote box|width=40%| quoted = 1|quote=I have never seen a batsman watch the ball as closely as he (Pujara) does, and that includes [[Sachin Tendulkar]] and [[Rahul Dravid]]. His concentration was a challenge. And we have to keep getting better just like him, all our batsmen and bowlers|source=– Former Australian opener and current coach [[Justin Langer]], January 2019<ref>{{cite news | url= https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/never-seen-a-batsman-concentrate-like-pujara-and-that-includes-tendulkar-dravid-langer-1427727-2019-01-10 |title=Never seen a batsman concentrate like Pujara and that includes Tendulkar, Dravid: Langer | work= PTI | date= 10 January 2019}}</ref>}}

Pujara carried his good form to [[Indian cricket team in Australia in 2018–19|Australia later that season]] and scored his maiden century in the country on the opening day of the First Test at [[Adelaide Oval|Adelaide]], becoming only the seventh Indian to do so on the first day of a Test series outside Asia.<ref name="ht1">{{cite news |title=India vs Australia: Cheteshwar Pujara equals Rahul Dravid, completes 5000 Test runs |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/india-vs-australia-cheteshwar-pujara-equals-rahul-dravid-completes-5000-test-runs/story-1CU3kEaVfBqckpVIt9tFBI.html |access-date=8 December 2018 |work=Hindustan Times |date=6 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref> Rescuing his team from 41/4, he made 123 in a six-hour long innings, before being [[run out]] for the fourth time in 2018, equaling [[Bill Lawry]] of Australia's 54-year-old record for most times dismissed in that manner in a year.<ref>{{cite news |title=India vs Australia: Pujara equals former Australian captain Bill Lawry's 54-year old unwanted record |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/india-vs-australia-pujara-equals-former-australian-captain-bill-lawry-s-54-year-old-unwanted-record/story-hWhALDnSlgp2BXBCFERPUL.html |access-date=8 December 2018 |work=Hindustan Times |date=6 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref> En route to his century, Pujara reached 5,000 runs in Tests, becoming the fifth fastest Indian to reach the milestone in terms of innings batted (108).<ref name="ht1"/> He followed it up with a 71 in the second innings and helped India win the Test, their first in the country in ten years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Australia v India: Tourists claim first Test win in Australia since 2008 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/46504424 |access-date=10 December 2018 |work=BBC Sport |date=10 December 2018}}</ref> Pujara was named man of the match.<ref>{{cite news |title=India vs Australia: Team India register historic win in Adelaide, resolute Pujara steals the show |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/india-vs-australia-cheteshwar-pujara-steals-show-as-all-round-india-record-historic-win-in-adelaide/story-M3wcJkQKOCjEvQAhOGiu3K.html |access-date=10 December 2018 |work=Hindustan Times |date=10 December 2018 |language=en}}</ref> In the Third Test in [[Melbourne Cricket Ground|Melbourne]], he scored a 319-ball 106 while adding 170 runs for the third wicket with Kohli in the first innings.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dinakar |first1=S. |title=Another feather in Pujara's cap; Kohli dares Aussies |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/another-feather-in-pujaras-cap-kohli-dares-aussies/article25843794.ece |access-date=31 December 2018 |work=The Hindu |date=27 December 2018 |language=en-IN}}</ref> India went to win the game and secured an unassailable 2–1 lead in the series.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dinakar |first1=S. |title=Kohli & his merry men keep their date with destiny |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/india-tour-of-australia-australia-vs-india-third-test-in-melbourne-day-5/article25863280.ece |access-date=31 December 2018 |work=The Hindu |date=30 December 2018 |language=en-IN}}</ref> He followed it up with a third century of the series in the final Test at [[Sydney Cricket Ground|Sydney]], making 193 in the first innings off 373 balls, in another man-of-the-match winning performance. The match ended in a draw and the series at 2–1 in his team's favour meant it was their first Test series win on Australian soil.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Basu |first1=Ritayan |title=Best Indian side I have been part of, says Cheteshwar Pujara after series-winning 521 runs |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/cheteshwar-pujara-india-vs-australia-2-1-series-win-1425024-2019-01-07 |access-date=20 January 2019 |work=India Today |date=7 January 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Pujara finished the series making 521 runs, the highest for either sides, from a total of 1,258 deliveries faced, a record for an India player there, and at an average of 74.42. He was named player of the series.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bailey |first1=Scott |last2=Forsaith |first2=Rob |title=Cheteshwar Pujara 'should have worn pads' for player of the series trophy |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-newspapers/central-north-island/sport/sport-region-6459/109780600/Cheteshwar-Pujara-should-have-worn-pads-for-player-of-the-series-trophy |access-date=20 January 2019 |work=Stuff.co.nz |date=7 January 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

His next big series was the tour against Australia in December 2020 in which he scored 271 runs in 4 matches at an average of 33.87. As he played at a strike-rate of 29.20, his intent was under heavy scrutiny.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cheteshwar Pujara: Lack of Intent or Tried-and-Tested Technique?|url=https://yorkerworld.com/cheteshwar-pujara-lack-of-intent/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118071123/https://yorkerworld.com/cheteshwar-pujara-lack-of-intent/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=18 January 2022|access-date=2021-01-13|website=Yorker World|date=13 January 2021|language=en}}</ref> On 19 January 2021, during the fourth Test match against [[Australia]] on [[The Gabba]], Pujara scored his slowest Test half century ever. He reached his half century on the 196th ball that he faced, and passed his old record of a 174 ball half century against [[Australia]] in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cheteshwar Pujara scores slowest Test fifty off 196 deliveries|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/india-tour-of-australia/records/cheteshwar-pujara-slowest-test-match-fifty-196-balls-aus-vs-ind-brisbane-january-2021/article33606690.ece|access-date=2021-01-19|website=Sportstar The Hindu|date=19 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

On 16 December 2022, Pujara scored a century in Test cricket after 1443 days in the second innings of the [[Indian cricket team in Bangladesh in 2022–23#1st Test|first Test]] against [[Bangladesh national cricket team|Bangladesh]], and scored unbeaten on 102 runs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sportstar |first1=Team |title=Pujara hits first Test hundred in more than three years |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/pujara-test-hundred-first-in-more-than-three-years-stats-records-ind-vs-ban/article66262227.ece |access-date=16 December 2022 |work=[[Sportstar]] |date=16 December 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

== Records ==
* Pujara passed 2,000 runs in a calendar year during 2013. He scored 2,163 runs at 94.04 in [[first-class cricket|first-class matches]], only [[Chris Rogers (cricketer)|Chris Rogers]] with 2,568 runs at 50.35 made more.<ref>{{cite web |title=2013 Records - FC Matches - Most Runs |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/year/batting-most-runs-career/2013-2013/first-class-matches-4 |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=24 October 2023}}</ref>
*His 222-run partnership with [[Virat Kohli]] is India's joint-highest in [[South Africa national cricket team|South Africa]] and their highest in the second innings of a Test in [[South Africa]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Partnership records. Test matches  |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;host=3;innings_number=3;innings_number=4;orderby=fow_high_score;team=6;template=results;type=fow|access-date=2021-03-21|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Partnership records. Test matches  |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;host=3;orderby=fow_high_score;team=6;template=results;type=fow|access-date=2021-03-21|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>
* Second fastest Indian player to reach 1,000 Test runs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fastest 1000 runs|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283173.html|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=22 December 2013}}</ref>
* Highest second innings score of 153 by any Indian batsmen in South Africa.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Batting records. Test matches  |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;host=3;innings_number=3;innings_number=4;orderby=high_score;team=6;template=results;type=batting|access-date=2021-03-21|work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>
*Most balls faced by an Indian in a Test innings: 525.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Seervi|first=Bharath|date=19 March 2017|title=Pujara plays India's longest innings|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/18949258/pujara-plays-india-longest-innings|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006162554/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/18949258/pujara-plays-india-longest-innings|archive-date=6 October 2019|access-date=2020-11-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
* Pujara climbed to a career-best number 2 spot in the rankings for Test batsmen after his double century against Australia in March 2017.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Dorjey Sahni|first1=Mendra|title=Pujara Overtakes Kohli, Jadeja Takes Sole Lead in ICC Rankings|url=https://www.thequint.com/cricket/2017/03/21/ravindra-jadeja-number-1-test-bowler|website=www.thequint.com|date=21 March 2017|publisher=The Quint|access-date=21 March 2017}}</ref>
* He is the third batsman for India, and ninth overall, to bat on all five days of a Test.<ref name="Pujara5">{{cite news |title=Cheteshwar Pujara third Indian to bat on all five days of a Test |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/sri-lanka-in-india/cheteshwar-pujara-third-indian-to-bat-on-all-five-days-of-a-test/articleshow/61719604.cms? |access-date=19 November 2017 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>
* He is the sixth Indian cricketer to score a century in a Tour outside Asia on the first day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-in-australia/india-vs-australia-cheteshwar-pujara-rescues-india-equals-sourav-gangulys-test-centuries-tally/articleshow/66967686.cms|title=India vs Australia: Cheteshwar Pujara rescues India, equals Sourav Ganguly's Test centuries tally - Times of India ►|website=The Times of India|date=6 December 2018 |access-date=21 February 2019}}</ref>
*He is the eleventh Indian cricketer to reach 6,000 Test Runs.<ref>{{Cite news|agency=PTI|date=2021-01-11|title=Cheteshwar Pujara becomes 11th Indian to cross 6000-run mark in Test cricket|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/cheteshwar-pujara-becomes-11th-indian-to-cross-6000-run-mark-in-test-cricket/article33547199.ece|access-date=2021-03-21|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
* He is the Fourth Indian to Score 20013 runs in 430 innings in First Class Cricket.<ref>{{Cite news|others=Sportstiger|date=2024-01-21|title=Cheteshwar Pujara becomes 4th Indian to cross 20013-run in first class cricket|language=en-IN|work=Sportstiger|url=https://www.sportstiger.com/news/most-first-class-runs-by-indian-batters-check-here-as-pujara-completed-20000-runs-in-fc-cricket/article33547199.ece|access-date=2024-01-28}}</ref>

== International Centuries ==
Pujara has made 19 [[Century (cricket)|centuries]] in international cricket {{endash}} all in [[Test cricket]] {{endash}} {{As of|2022|4|df=|lc=yes|since=}}.<ref name="mostcenturies">{{cite web|title=Records / Combined Test, ODI and T20I records / Batting records / Most hundreds in a career |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/284175.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=15 January 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004152723/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/284175.html |archive-date=4 October 2012 }}</ref> He scored his first test century against New Zealand at [[Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium|Hyderabad]] in the first match of [[New Zealand cricket team in India in 2012#1st Test|New Zealand's tour of India in 2012]], scoring 159.<ref name="Test debut">{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India vs New Zealand 1st Test 2012 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/new-zealand-tour-of-india-2012-565793/india-vs-new-zealand-1st-test-565817/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-01-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable "
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Score
!Against
![[Batting order (cricket)|{{abbr|Pos.|Position in the batting order}}]]
![[Innings#Cricket|{{abbr|Inn.|The innings of the match}}]]
!{{abbr|Test|The number of the Test match played in that series}}
!Venue
!{{abbr|H/A/N|Home, Away, or Neutral venue}}
!{{abbr|Date|Date the match was held, or the starting date of match for Test matches}}
!{{abbr|Result|The result of the match from Pakistan's perspective}}
! class="unsortable" scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref|Reference}}
|-
|1
! scope="row" |{{ntsh|1590}} 159
|{{cr|NZL}}
|3
|1
|1/2
| [[Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium]], [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]]
|Home
|{{dts|2012|August|23|format=dmy}}
|Won
|<ref name="Test debut" />
|-
|2
! scope="row" |{{ntsh|2060}} 206 [[not out]] 
|{{cr|ENG}}
|3
|1
|1/4
| [[Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera|Sardar Patel Stadium]], [[Ahmedabad]]
|Home
|{{dts|2012|November|15|format=dmy}}
|Won
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India vs England 1st Test 2012 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-india-2012-13-565792/india-vs-england-1st-test-565806/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-01-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|3
! scope="row" |{{ntsh|1350}} 135
|{{cr|ENG}}
|3
|1
|2/4
| [[Wankhede Stadium]], [[Mumbai]]
|Home
|{{dts|2012|November|23|format=dmy}}
|Lost
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India vs England 2nd Test 2012 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-india-2012-13-565792/india-vs-england-2nd-test-565807/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-01-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|4
! scope="row" |{{ntsh|2040}} 204 
|{{cr|AUS}}
|3
|2
|2/4
| [[Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium]], [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]]
|Home
|{{dts|2013|March|2|format=dmy}}
|Won
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of Australia vs India 2nd Test 2013 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-tour-of-india-2012-13-598808/india-vs-australia-2nd-test-598813/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-01-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|5
! scope="row" |{{ntsh|1130}} 113
|{{cr|WIN}}
|3
|2
|1/2
| [[Wankhede Stadium]], [[Mumbai]]
|Home
|{{dts|2013|November|14|format=dmy}}
|Won
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of West Indies vs India 2nd Test 2013 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/west-indies-tour-of-india-2013-14-668845/india-vs-west-indies-2nd-test-676527/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-01-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|6
! scope="row" |{{ntsh|1530}} 153
|{{cr|SAF}}
|3
|3
|1/2
| [[Wanderers Stadium]], [[Johannesburg]]
|Away
|{{dts|2013|December|18|format=dmy}}
|Draw
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India vs South Africa 1st Test 2013 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-south-africa-2013-14-648627/south-africa-vs-india-1st-test-648665/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-01-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|7
! scope="row" |{{ntsh|1450}} 145 [[not out]] 
|{{cr|SL}}
|2
|1
|3/3
| [[Sinhalese Sports Club Ground]], [[Colombo]]
|Away
|{{dts|2015|August|28|format=dmy}}
|Won
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India vs Sri Lanka 3rd Test 2015 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-sri-lanka-2015-895057/sri-lanka-vs-india-3rd-test-895777/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-01-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|8
! scope="row" |{{ntsh|1010}} 101 [[not out]]
|{{cr|NZL}}
|3
|3
|3/3
| [[Holkar Stadium]], [[Indore]]
|Home
|{{dts|2016|October|8|format=dmy}}
|Won
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India vs New Zealand 3rd Test 2016 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/nz-tour-of-india-2016-17-1030193/india-vs-new-zealand-3rd-test-1030217/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-01-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|9
! scope="row" |{{ntsh|1240}} 124
|{{cr|ENG}}
|3
|2
|1/5
| [[Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium]], [[Rajkot]]
|Home
|{{dts|2016|November|9|format=dmy}}
|Draw
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of England vs India 1st Test 2016 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-india-2016-17-1030195/india-vs-england-1st-test-1034809/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-01-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|10
! scope="row" |{{ntsh|1190}} 119
|{{cr|ENG}}
|3
|1
|2/5
|  [[Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium|VDCA Cricket Stadium]], [[Vishakhapatnam]]
|Home
|{{dts|2016|November|17|format=dmy}}
|Won
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India vs England 2nd Test 2016 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-tour-of-india-2016-17-1030195/india-vs-england-2nd-test-1034811/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-01-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|11
! scope="row" |{{ntsh|2020}} 202 
|{{cr|AUS}}
|3
|2
|3/4
| [[JSCA International Stadium Complex]], [[Ranchi]]
|Home
|{{dts|2017|March|16|format=dmy}}
|Draw
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of Australia vs India 3rd Test 2017 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/ind-v-aus-2016-17-1030197/india-vs-australia-3rd-test-1062575/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-01-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|12
! scope="row" |{{ntsh|1530}} 153
|{{cr|SL}}
|3
|1
|1/3
| [[Galle International Stadium]], [[Galle]]
|Away
|{{dts|2017|July|26|format=dmy}}
|Won
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2017 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sl-v-ind-2017-1109590/sri-lanka-vs-india-1st-test-1109602/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-01-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|13
! scope="row" |{{ntsh|1330}} 133
|{{cr|SL}}
|3
|1
|2/3
| [[Sinhalese Sports Club Ground]], [[Colombo]]
|Away
|{{dts|2017|August|3|format=dmy}}
|Won
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test 2017 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sl-v-ind-2017-1109590/sri-lanka-vs-india-2nd-test-1109603/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-01-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|14
! scope="row" |{{ntsh|1430}} 143
|{{cr|SL}}
|3
|2
|2/3
| [[Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium]], [[Nagpur]]
|Home
|{{dts|2017|November|24|format=dmy}}
|Won
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of Sri Lanka vs India 2nd Test 2017 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sl-in-india-2017-18-1122718/india-vs-sri-lanka-2nd-test-1122724/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-01-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|15
! scope="row" |{{ntsh|1320}} 132 [[not out]]
|{{cr|ENG}}
|3
|2
|4/5
| [[Rose Bowl (cricket ground)|Rose Bowl]], [[Southampton]]
|Away
|{{dts|2018|August|30|format=dmy}}
|Lost
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of England vs India 4th Test 2018 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/ind-in-eng-2018-1119528/england-vs-india-4th-test-1119552/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-01-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|16
! scope="row" |{{ntsh|1230}} 123 
|{{cr|AUS}}
|3
|1
|1/4
| [[Adelaide Oval]], [[Adelaide]]
|Away
|{{dts|2018|December|6|format=dmy}}
|Won
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India vs Australia 1st Test 2018 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-in-aus-2018-19-1145097/australia-vs-india-1st-test-1144993/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-01-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|17
! scope="row" |{{ntsh|1060}} 106
|{{cr|AUS}}
|3
|1
|3/4
| [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]], [[Melbourne]]
|Away
|{{dts|2018|December|26|format=dmy}}
|Won
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India vs Australia 3rd Test 2018 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-in-aus-2018-19-1145097/australia-vs-india-3rd-test-1144995/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-01-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|18
! scope="row" |{{ntsh|1930}} 193 
|{{cr|AUS}}
|3
|1
|4/4
| [[Sydney Cricket Ground]], [[Sydney]]
|Away
|{{dts|2019|January|3|format=dmy}}
|Draw
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of India vs Australia 4th Test 2018 - Score Report |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-in-aus-2018-19-1145097/australia-vs-india-4th-test-1144996/full-scorecard|access-date=2021-01-07|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en}}</ref>
|-
|19
! scope="row" |{{ntsh|1930}} 102 [[not out]]
|{{cr|BAN}}
|3
|3
|1/2
| [[Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium]], [[Chittagong]]
|Away
|{{dts|2022|December|14|format=dmy}}
|Won
|<ref>{{cite news |title=Full Scorecard of India vs Bangladesh 1st Test 2022/23 - Score Report  |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-in-bangladesh-2022-23-1340842/bangladesh-vs-india-1st-test-1340848/full-scorecard |access-date=16 December 2022 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{cricinfo|id=32540}}
* [https://tradeism.org/biography-of-cheteshwar-pujara/ Short Biography of Cheteshwar Pujara for Students at Tradeism]

{{ICC Emerging Player of the Year}}
{{Indian cricketers with 100 or more Test caps}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pujara, Cheteshwar}}
[[Category:1988 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Cricketers from Rajkot]]
[[Category:Indian cricketers]]
[[Category:India Test cricketers]]
[[Category:India One Day International cricketers]]
[[Category:West Zone cricketers]]
[[Category:Saurashtra cricketers]]
[[Category:Derbyshire cricketers]]
[[Category:Indian expatriate cricketers in England]]
[[Category:Royal Challengers Bengaluru cricketers]]
[[Category:India Blue cricketers]]
[[Category:India Green cricketers]]
[[Category:Punjab Kings cricketers]]
[[Category:Kolkata Knight Riders cricketers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian sportsmen]]
[[Category:Gujarati sportspeople]]
[[Category:Yorkshire cricketers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Arjuna Award]]