Last time Cheteshwar Pujara played for India: Who were his teammates and where are they now?

NEW DELHI: Cheteshwar Pujara on Sunday announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket, bringing an end to a career that defined resilience and selflessness in the longest format.The 37-year-old played 103 Tests and five ODIs for India, amassing 7,195 Test runs at an average of 43.60. His final appearance came in the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final at The Oval against Australia — a match that turned out to be both a heartbreak for India and the farewell outing of one of its finest Test specialists.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!That final was a painful one. Skipper Rohit Sharma’s decision to bowl first backfired as Australia piled up 469, with centuries from Travis Head (163) and Steve Smith (121). India replied with 296, Pujara contributing 14 before Cameron Green got the better of him. Chasing a daunting 444 in the fourth innings, India folded for 234. Pujara scored 27 in his last knock in national colours.Two years later, as Pujara walked away from the game, here’s a look at where his teammates from that XI stand today:Rohit Sharma (captain): The opener bid goodbye to T20Is after lifting the 2024 World Cup and retired from Tests ahead of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy earlier this year. He continues to play ODIs.Shubman Gill: Now India’s Test captain, Gill led the side to a 2-2 draw against England in his maiden assignment. He is also the T20I vice-captain and remains an all-format player.Virat Kohli: Like Rohit, Kohli retired from T20Is after the 2024 World Cup and from Tests earlier this year. He is currently active only in ODIs.Ajinkya Rahane: Out of India’s plans, Rahane last played a Test in July 2023 against West Indies and recently stepped down as Mumbai Ranji captain.Srikar Bharat: The wicketkeeper played seven Tests, his last in February 2024 against England, but has since slipped out of contention.Ravindra Jadeja: Still a vital cog, Jadeja starred with the bat in the England series earlier this year. He has retired from T20Is but continues to feature in Tests and ODIs.Shardul Thakur: The all-rounder remains in India’s mix and was part of the England series.Umesh Yadav: Like Pujara, Umesh has not featured since the 2023 WTC final and appears out of the selectors’ radar.Mohammed Shami: Injuries have restricted his appearances, but he continues to be considered for India in limited-overs formats.Mohammed Siraj: The spearhead of India’s attack in the recent England series, he claimed 23 wickets in five Tests and remains central to India’s red-ball plans.For Pujara, the Oval defeat marked his final bow. For his teammates, the journeys have diverged — some retired, some thriving, and some fading away. But together, they were part of the last chapter in the story of India’s most resilient number three.