Tributes came in from all around the nation after veteran cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket. Since the June 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia, Pujara has not played for the Indian team.

Pujara is eighth among India's all-time top run scorers with 7195 runs at an average of 43.60 in 103 Test matches. In 2010, he made his debut for India against Australia in the longest format. He was a key architect of India's historic Border-Gavaskar trophy victories in 2018 and 2021. He represented India in five ODIs as well.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said that the 37-year-old deserved a more dignified farewell than what he was afforded.

“I can’t help feeling a pang of regret at the retirement of @cheteshwar1. Even if it was inevitable after his recent string of exclusions from the Indian team, and even if he has nothing left to prove, he deserved a little longer in the saddle and a dignified farewell worthy of his outstanding Test career for India. When he was dropped, with typical gumption, he returned to the domestic scene and racked up several impressive scores. But the selectors had decided to move on, and one cannot blame him for deciding to throw in the towel,” Tharoor posted on X.

“I was reading his wife’s 'Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife' and reflecting on how much it takes to achieve all that Pujara did. He first caught my eye on an India A tour of England, 20 years ago, when his consistent scoring suggested he was ready for the next level. The selectors agreed; he made a precocious 72 in his second innings on debut & despite one or two setbacks thereafter, went on to become India’s Mr. Reliable at number three. He was badly missed on the last tour of Australia,” he added.