Batting nice Cheteshwar Pujara has drawn the curtains on his outstanding profession, saying his retirement from all types of Indian cricket on August 24, 2025. For greater than a decade, Pujara stood tall on the No. 3 spot in Exams, a place as soon as owned by Rahul Dravid. Together with his old-school endurance and unshakable temperament, he turned India’s rock within the center, trusted to soak up strain when wickets fell early.
Throughout 103 Exams, Pujara piled up 7,195 runs, crafted 19 centuries, and produced numerous match-saving efforts that formed India’s largest victories each at residence and overseas. He wasn’t nearly numbers—he was the batter opposition bowlers discovered hardest to dislodge, the person who turned grinding out periods into an artwork type.
3 gamers who can change Cheteshwar Pujara in Exams for India
- Abhimanyu Easwaran
The 29-year-old Bengal opener stands as essentially the most skilled candidate among the many three contenders, boasting outstanding consistency in home cricket that has made him unattainable to disregard. Easwaran has accrued over 7,800 runs in 103 first-class matches at a mean of 48.70, together with 27 centuries. His latest type has been nothing wanting extraordinary, significantly his phenomenal run in 2024-25 the place he scored 4 consecutive first-class centuries.
Easwaran’s latest purple patch contains spectacular scores of 191 within the Irani Cup in opposition to Mumbai, adopted by centuries within the Duleep Trophy and a superb 127 in opposition to Uttar Pradesh within the Ranji Trophy. Since 2021, he has scored practically 3,000 runs at a mean of over 61, making him essentially the most constant red-ball opener in Indian home cricket throughout that interval. His means to transform begins into significant innings is highlighted by his observe report of huge a whole lot, together with a highest rating of 233. The Bengal batter’s conventional strategy of sporting down bowlers with affected person batting and strong protection makes him a great candidate to fill Pujara’s footwear on the essential No. 3 place.
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- Sarfaraz Khan
The 27-year-old Mumbai batter brings a powerful Take a look at pedigree regardless of restricted worldwide expertise, having already introduced himself on the most important stage with outstanding performances. Sarfaraz has scored 371 runs in 6 Take a look at matches at a mean of 37.10, together with a memorable maiden Take a look at century of 150 in opposition to New Zealand. His home report is nothing wanting phenomenal, with 4,685 runs in 55 first-class matches at an impressive common of 65.99, that includes 16 centuries.
What makes Sarfaraz significantly particular is his first-class common of roughly 69.20, which ranks him fourth amongst all-time greats with a minimum of 2,000 runs, behind solely Don Bradman and Vijay Service provider. His latest type features a magnificent double century (222 not out) within the Irani Cup, additional cementing his popularity as a run machine. Sarfaraz’s means to transform begins into huge scores is obvious from his report of changing 10 of his 15 first-class centuries into 150-plus scores, with 4 double a whole lot to his identify. His fearless strategy and pure strokeplay, mixed along with his confirmed means to deal with strain conditions, make him a compelling alternative for the No. 3 spot.
- Sai Sudharsan
The 23-year-old Tamil Nadu left-hander represents India’s subsequent era of batting expertise, having already tasted worldwide cricket with 3 Take a look at appearances the place he scored 129 runs, together with a half-century. Regardless of making his Take a look at debut with a first-class common under 40 (39.93), Sai Sudharsan has proven outstanding enchancment and adaptableness. He has 1,396 runs in 27 first-class matches with 6 centuries, and his latest type has been spectacular with a double century within the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy in opposition to Delhi.
Sudharsan’s versatility throughout codecs is obvious from his excellent IPL performances, the place he scored 527 runs in 2024 at a mean of 47 and was the Orange Cap winner in 2025 with 759 runs. His technical soundness and skill to adapt his recreation in line with match conditions was evident throughout his county stint with Surrey, the place he scored his maiden Championship century. Although he had a difficult Take a look at debut with scores of 0 and 30 in opposition to England, his psychological energy and visualization strategies, mixed along with his pure strokeplay and temperament, counsel he has the instruments to succeed on the highest stage with extra expertise.
The three contenders every supply distinctive strengths: Easwaran brings confirmed home consistency and conventional Take a look at match temperament, Sarfaraz provides an distinctive conversion charge and fearless strategy, whereas Sudharsan represents the long run along with his adaptability and multi-format abilities. As India seeks Pujara’s successor, any of those three may present the steadiness and run-scoring means wanted on the essential No. 3 place.
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