Following the announcement of Cheteshwar Pujara‘s departure from all formats of Indian cricket on August 24, 2025, the cricket community expressed a range of tributes and heartfelt sentiments. Among the most heartfelt reactions was that of his wife, Puja Pabari, who composed a touching message on Instagram, beautifully portraying the essence of their shared experiences through the peaks and valleys of professional cricket.
Pujara’s distinguished Test career included 103 matches, amassing 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, marked by 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries. His final international appearance occurred in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval. The 37-year-old batsman from Rajkot shared his declaration via a sincere social media message, conveying appreciation for donning the Indian jersey and representing his nation with pride.
Puja Pabari’s deeply emotional tribute on husband Cheteshwar Pujara’s retirement
In her profoundly moving Instagram tribute, Puja presented a selection of cherished images that chronicled her husband’s most noteworthy cricket moments. The message displayed significant pictures from the memorable 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where India achieved their first-ever Test series victory in Australia after 72 years, with Pujara making a crucial contribution by scoring 521 runs at an average of 74.42.
The emotional message commenced with a meaningful quote from the Bhagavad Gita: “Be in the present as the present is the present of the supreme presence” – a leading principle that Puja observed her husband had been adhering to. She conveyed her admiration for how Pujara consistently gave his best and played the game in his characteristic “calm and dignified way“.
Puja’s most intimate revelation appeared when she noted: “From knowing nothing about cricket to loving you and the sport through your eyes – your journey has been a true education in life’s lessons for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have gone through the highs and lows of your career together“. This feeling perfectly captured how affection transformed her relationship with cricket from complete unfamiliarity to enthusiastic dedication.
A partner’s perspective on cricket life and sacrifices behind the glory
The emotional intensity of Puja’s message was further highlighted when she acknowledged the personal cost of Pujara’s cricket career. “I will miss cheering you on the field, following the unshakeable routines, and at times maybe also the anxiousness before a match/series,” she expressed, offering a unique look into the emotional journey that cricket families undergo.
Her statements about missed celebrations and adjustments to prioritize cricket resonated powerfully: “For all the missed celebrations and adjustments made in order to prioritise cricket, lets make up for it now“. This statement underscored the sacrifices that both the player and his family undertook throughout his 15-year international career.
Puja also included memories from Pujara’s significant 100th Test match, which he contested against Australia in Delhi in February 2023. During that historic match, Pujara became only the second player after Ricky Ponting to secure the winning runs in their 100th Test, although he also recorded a duck in the first innings. The couple, who married on February 13, 2013, in Rajkot, Gujarat, are now parents to a daughter named Aditi.
Pujara’s retirement announcement on Instagram demonstrated his own gratitude: “Wearing the Indian jersey, singing the anthem, and trying my best each time I stepped on the field – it’s impossible to put into words what it truly meant. But as they say, all good things must come to an end, and with immense gratitude I have decided to retire from all forms of Indian cricket“.
His wife’s emotional tribute acts as a beautiful accompaniment to his own farewell, delivering a deeply intimate viewpoint on one of India’s most committed Test cricketers and the love story that sustained his remarkable journey.
