Top 6 most memorable knocks by Cheteshwar Pujara in test cricket

Cheteshwar Pujara is the only Indian batter to face 500+ balls in a test innings.

On Sunday, 24th August 2025, Cheteshwar Pujara hung up his boots from all forms of Indian cricket. He was one of the finest cricketers to play test cricket for India. Famously known for his resilience and solid determination, he was India’s key batter in the top order.

Pujara played a major role in India’s test dominance under Virat Kohli’s captaincy tenure. His career spanned from 2010 to 2023, finishing with 103 tests. He scored 7195 runs at an average of 43.60.

Pujara also scored 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries in this format. He played some incredible innings for India in tough situations, and below we will talk about some of the iconic knocks by Cheteshwar Pujara for India.

List of most memorable knocks by Cheteshwar Pujara in test cricket

1. 206 vs England, Ahmedabad, 2012

The 2012 home series against England laid the foundation for Pujara as India’s No. 3. He slammed his highest test score in the very first test of the series in Ahmedabad. Pujara scored an unbeaten 206 off 389 balls against the likes of James Anderson, Graeme Swann, and Stuart Broad and helped India win the game by nine wickets to take a 1-0 lead.

2. 202 vs Australia, Ranchi, 2017

Pujara has played many memorable knocks against Australia, and two of his three test double hundreds came against the Kangaroos. His second test double hundred against them came in Ranchi. In reply to Australia’s 451, India were struggling, but Pujara played a marathon knock of 202 off 525 balls to take India to 603/9d. This was the first time that an Indian batter played 500+ balls in an innings. He helped India draw the game.

3. 153 vs South Africa, Johannesburg, 2013

One of Pujara’s finest centuries came in South Africa against the likes of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, and Morne Morkel in Johannesburg. It came in second innings of the Johannesburg test in 2013 where he scored 153 off 270 balls to put India in a dominating position. Although his knock almost went in vain as Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers scored brilliant centuries in the fourth innings before the game concluded in a draw.

4. 123 vs Australia, Adelaide, 2018

India won their first test series in Australia in 2018-19, and Pujara set the tone for the team with an incredible century in the first test at Adelaide Oval. He came to bat when India lost both openers cheaply and scored 123 off 246 balls. Pujara also scored a beautiful 71 in the second innings to help India win the game by 31 runs.

5. 56 vs Australia, Brisbane (Gabba), 2021

The Gabba win in 2021 is one of the most iconic wins in Indian cricket history. We know how Rishabh Pant took on Australia, but it was Cheteshwar Pujara who took several body blows to take India to an unassailable position. He scored only 56 in the second innings, but it was not less than a century. He took 11-12 blows on his body and faced 211 balls to set a platform for India to chase down a mammoth target of 328.

6. 145 vs Sri Lanka, Colombo, 2015

After being dropped from the test series against England and Australia, Pujara made his return in the Sri Lanka series in 2015. He was given a chance as an opener in the series decider game in Colombo. He scored an unbeaten 145 in the first innings, and India posted 312 and ended up winning the game and series 2-1.

During this innings, Pujara became fourth Indian batter to carry bat throughout in an innings in test cricket.

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