MUMBAI। AUGUST 26,2025। SKY LINK TIMES।
Ravichandran Ashwin has paid Cheteshwar Pujara one of the most heartfelt tributes Indian cricket has seen in recent years, describing him as the “white walker of Indian cricket” and hailing his understated yet monumental contribution to the team.
Pujara, 37, announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket after a remarkable career spanning 103 Tests, 7195 runs at an average of 43.60, with 19 centuries and 35 fifties. Known as India’s modern-day “wall,” Pujara earned respect worldwide for his ability to grind bowlers into submission and make batting easier for his teammates.
Ashwin on Pujara’s Role in Kohli’s Success
Ashwin said that while stars like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma often got the spotlight, Pujara’s quiet resilience at No.3 was just as vital.
“Not every cricketer gets the attention, but that doesn’t mean their contribution is any less. Pujara’s role at No.3, believe it or not, was instrumental in helping Virat Kohli also make a lot of his runs,” Ashwin said.
Kohli and Pujara shared many match-defining partnerships, especially in away tours where conditions were toughest. Ashwin believes Pujara’s grit allowed India’s stroke-makers to flourish.
The White Walker of Indian Cricket
Ashwin revealed that he nicknamed Pujara the “white walker,” a reference to the Game of Thrones characters who moved slowly but never stopped advancing.
“If you’ve watched Game of Thrones, you know the white walker. I called Pujara that. He walks slowly, but he never leaves the field. That was his aura,” Ashwin explained.
The nickname particularly reflected Pujara’s heroic efforts during the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he faced over 1200 deliveries in the series, wearing down world-class bowlers like Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
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The Gabba & Wanderers Grit
Ashwin recalled two unforgettable innings that underlined Pujara’s toughness.
The Gabba, 2021: Pujara was struck on the body 11 times but batted through immense pain to score 56 off 211 deliveries. His effort laid the foundation for India’s historic series-clinching win.
Johannesburg, 2018: On a dangerous Wanderers pitch later rated “poor” by the ICC, Pujara faced 53 balls before scoring his first run. He went on to make a fighting 50 off 197 balls, keeping India in the contest.
“Pujara always did the thankless job,” Ashwin said. “His contribution is unbelievable. People don’t talk about him much, but he is a bona fide legend. There are not many players like him.”
A Legacy Beyond Numbers
While Pujara’s numbers already place him among India’s great Test batters, Ashwin argued that his true impact lies in his ability to shield teammates and absorb pressure. By wearing down attacks, he gave India’s flamboyant stroke-makers room to express themselves.
Ashwin himself retired from international cricket in December 2024, but his tribute makes it clear that Pujara’s legacy will live on in dressing rooms and memories far beyond statistics.
As the cricketing world reflects on Pujara’s retirement, Ashwin’s words capture the essence of the man—a warrior who valued team success over personal glory. For Indian fans, Pujara will remain “Mr. Dependable,” and for Ashwin, forever the “white walker of Indian cricket.”
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