Who is Cheteshwar Pujara? Know About His Relationships, Family, Career, Stats and More

Cheteshwar Pujara was born on January 25, 1988, in Rajkot, Gujarat, and is one of India's most reliable and technically sound Test batsmen. Often called the modern-day wall, Pujara has built his reputation on his old-school approach to batting. He made his Test debut in 2010 against Australia and gradually became a mainstay in India's red-ball setup.

His unforgettable performances during the 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he faced over 1,200 deliveries across four Tests, played a crucial role in India’s historic series win. His contribution to red ball cricket is a testament to his glorious career. Pujara announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on August 24, 2025, and with that decision, the modern wall and one of the most decorated Test careers came to an end.

Cheteshwar Pujara Biography

Cheteshwar Pujara is one of India’s most dependable and technically gifted Test batsmen. He made his Test debut in 2010 against Australia and, over the years, became a vital part of India’s red-ball setup, often stepping up in tough overseas conditions.

Though he didn’t feature in T20 internationals and had only a brief ODI career, his value in Test cricket was unmatched. Standing at about 5 ft 6 in, Pujara earned a BBA degree while rising through the ranks. Off the field, he is a devoted family man, married to Puja Pabari, and they have a daughter together. As of 2025, Cheteshwar Pujara net worth is around USD 3 million.

Cheteshwar Pujara Religion and Caste

Cheteshwar Pujara comes from a humble Hindu Brahmin family in Rajkot, Gujarat. Often, he has been seen with his family at Hindu religious sites, seeking blessings.

Cheteshwar Pujara Family

Cheteshwar Pujara comes from a simple family in Rajkot, Gujarat. His father, Arvind Pujara, a former first-class cricketer, has been his biggest influence, more than just a parent; he was also Cheteshwar’s first coach and mentor. His mother, Reena Pujara, was a supportive presence in his life, but she sadly passed away from cancer when he was just 17. In 2013, he married Puja Pabari, and the couple now shares a happy life with their daughter, Aditi, born in 2018.

Cheteshwar Pujara Father

Arvind Pujara, Cheteshwar’s father, has been a huge influence on his cricket career right from the start. Having played first-class cricket for Saurashtra himself, Arvind understood the game deeply and took it upon himself to coach and mentor Cheteshwar from a young age.

Cheteshwar Pujara Mother

Cheteshwar Pujara’s mother, Reena, was a caring presence in his life. Unfortunately, she passed away from cancer when Cheteshwar was just 17, which was a very difficult time for him. Her love and influence continue to be a big part of who he is today.

Cheteshwar Pujara Brother

There is no credible information regarding Cheteshwar Pujara’s brother. As per numerous reports, he is the only child of his family.

Cheteshwar Pujara Sister

Cheteshwar Pujara does not have any sisters or other siblings.

Cheteshwar Pujara Instagram

Cheteshwar Pujara has an Instagram account under the name of @cheteshwar_pujara, where he has more than 2.1M followers and has posted around 796 posts. On his Instagram, he has mostly posted pictures related to his cricket career, team achievements, and family vacations.

Cheteshwar Pujara Twitter

On X [formerly Twitter], Cheteshwar Pujara has an account under the handle @cheteshwar1, where he has more than 2.9M followers. On his Twitter account, he has posted pictures of his cricket journey, achievements, and family photos.

Cheteshwar Pujara Facebook

On Facebook, the former Indian batter has an account under the name of @Cheteshwar Pujara. He has more than 2.5M followers. On his Facebook, he has posted pictures related to his cricket career and all the other updates about his social life.

Cheteshwar Pujara Jersey Number

Cheteshwar Pujara wore the jersey number 15 while playing in international cricket for India. He also wore the same jersey number while playing in domestic cricket and other leagues.

Cheteshwar Pujara Relationships

Cheteshwar Pujara shares a warm relationship with his wife, Puja Pabari, whom he married in 2013. Puja, who has a background in management and HR, has been a constant support in Pujara’s life. In 2018, the couple welcomed their daughter, Aditi.

Pujara and his wife, Puja, recently took a beautiful step beyond the cricket field with the launch of Puja’s debut book, The Diary of a Cricketer’s Wife: A Very Unusual Memoir. Puja shares what it’s really like to be married to one of India’s most composed and disciplined players, opening up about the sacrifices, long separations, and the unseen side of a cricketer’s life that often goes unnoticed.

Cheteshwar Pujara Wife

Puja Pabari, Cheteshwar Pujara wife, has a background in management and HR. She chose to step away from her career after their marriage in 2013 to fully support Cheteshwar’s demanding cricket journey.

Cheteshwar Pujara Net Worth and Salary

Cheteshwar Pujara net worth, as of 2025, is estimated to be around ₹24 crore (roughly $3 million). Most of his earnings come from his long association with the BCCI, where he had a Grade A central contract, earning ₹5 crore annually, along with match fees of ₹15 lakh per Test and bonuses under the board’s incentive scheme for red-ball cricket. While he’s never been a major IPL figure, he has had a few stints over the years, including a ₹50 lakh contract with Chennai Super Kings in 2021. Pujara has also been associated with brands like SG Cricket and FantasyDangal.

Cheteshwar Pujara Career

Cheteshwar Pujara career began on the international stage in October 2010 against Australia in Bangalore. He quickly became a dependable figure in India’s middle order, especially when the team needed someone to hold the innings together. One of Cheteshwar Pujara’s most memorable innings came during the 2018 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Adelaide, where he scored a gritty double century, making 202 runs. He spent over eight hours at the crease to help India build a strong total in tough Australian conditions. That innings was crucial in their historic series win in Australia.

International Career

Cheteshwar Pujara career really shines in Test cricket, where he’s been a rock for India over the years. He’s played 103 matches, staying not out 11 times, and has scored over 7,000 runs at a solid average of 43.6. His highest Test score is 206 not out. He’s faced more than 16,000 balls in Tests with a steady strike rate of just over 44. With 19 centuries and 35 fifties, plus plenty of boundaries, 863 fours and 16 sixes, he’s proven time and again that he was the modern wall. On the other hand, his ODI career hasn’t taken off in the same way, with just 5 matches and 51 runs to his name.

IPL Career

Cheteshwar Pujara’s IPL career might not be filled with big numbers or headline-making performances, but it still reflects a different side of his game. Playing for three teams over the years, Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Kings XI Punjab, Pujara featured in 30 matches and batted in 22 innings, scoring 390 runs with a top score of 51. His average of 20.52 and strike rate of 99.74 show that he wasn’t a big hitter in the T20 format. His last IPL match was way back in 2014. He was picked by the Chennai Super Kings in the 2021 auction but never got a chance to feature in the playing 11.

Cheteshwar Pujara Achievements and Awards

One of the best test batsmen in the world of his time, Cheteshwar Pujara, his career is a story of old-school discipline and a deep love for Test cricket. One of his biggest highlights came during the 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he was named Player of the Series after scoring 521 runs across four Tests, an effort that played a massive role in India’s first-ever Test series win on Australian soil. He was awarded with Arjuna Award for his special efforts in 2022. Over the years, Pujara has achieved several remarkable milestones.

He’s the 13th Indian to play 100 Test matches and holds the record for the most double centuries by an Indian in first-class cricket (18), as well as the most first-class hundreds by an Indian (66), surpassing legends like Brian Lara. Some of his finest innings include a gritty 202 against Australia in Ranchi, a marathon 206* against England in Ahmedabad, and a fighting 56 at the Gabba during India’s iconic win in 2021. He’s also one of the rare Indian players to have batted on all five days of a Test match.