After leaving the test cricket on Sunday, he detonated the big Cheteshwar Pujara called on the young people of this generation not to focus only on the longest format, which he himself did for most of his 20 -year career. Pujara did not stay and called a spade with a spade as he pointed out that players are now selected for test units based on their white ball, especially in the Indian Premier League, than at their performance in the Red Ball cricket.
We’re talking to India todayPujara admitted that he had lost the IPL contracts by favorable test cricket, but he said it was a choice he was happy with. However, he called on the current crop of Indian crickets to expand their skills and be ready to play in all three formats of the game.
Saurashtra Stalwart stressed that sport is evolving and that more international teams reward players who can show enchantment even in a test cricket.
Pujara noted that the purists who excel in the ranja Trophy and the Duleep Trophy are rarely rewarded with testing challenges, while the performances of white balls remain a straightforward way to the side.
“Frankly, I would not recommend any of the young players to focus on the test format because times are changing. The white ball game is popular and needs to adapt to what lies before us. Notification of your retirement from all Indian cricket formats.
“The test cricket does not go anywhere; but will survive. However, in the trophy or duleep, he gets into the test group.
“I would recommend to the young player to focus on playing all three formats. I missed the others and I would not recommend anyone else to decide. They should still strive to play the test cricket-is the final format.
Pujar’s words carry the weight. In recent years, the Indian selection committees have often been criticized for overlooking the presentation of the Trophy Ranji in favor of the exploitation of white balls. After the Pujara, only a handful of red ball specialists were chosen-as Hanuma Vihari and pcs Bharat-Pre-Middle for his strong home records. Even Karun Nair, who accumulated runs in consecutive seasons, remembered, after he showed the promise of IPL in 2025, although it could have been a coincidence.
Was the IPL Pujara missing?
Meanwhile, Pujara admitted that due to his focus on the test cricket he lost on the IPL opportunities, but insisted that this is a decision that he does not regret.
“To be successful in the tests, I had to sacrifice something in a cricket of a white ball. I was glad I did it,” Pujara said.
“You mentioned the IPL. I was part of it, but I was lost on the contracts because I was marked as a test player. When you represent the country and omit something else, you have to be ready for it.”
“But for me, there are no regret. If I had the opportunity to play all three formats or be regular in IPL, I would definitely take it. But I had to choose, and it was a test cricket for me. I am glad I chose it and I am very satisfied with what happened in my career,” he added.
Pujara is one of the 14 Indians who played 100 or more test matches. However, the launch launching was up to only five ODIs and never got into the T20i team. He played only five seasons of IPL, and his latest competitive performances came in 2014. Although he chose Chennai Super Kings in 2021, he did not receive the game for any champion of that year.
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Published:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
August 26, 2025
