When Cheteshwar Pujara announced his retirement of all forms of cricket on August 24, 2025, poured in tribute for the man who was often called the last great test competition Purist. For 13 years his bat stood like the India’s Wall of Resistance, built on patience, technology and an almost meditative tranquility at the fold. But even the strongest wall has a few cracks, and Pujara itself has now unveiled the four bowlers who have pushed him to his limits.
Chesteshwar Pujara calls the quartet that he is most disturbed by him
In a candid chat with The Times of India, the 37-year-old many surprised by names such as Jasprit Bumrah And Mitchell Starc. Instead, he chose Dale Steyn, Morne Morrel, James Anderson, And Pat Cummins As the most difficult opponents of his career.
The numbers tell their own story. Against Steyn and Morrel, Pujara was on average only 30 and 19, with the South African duo rejecting him six times. Anderson proved his most frequent arch enemy, removed him 12 times in tests and dragged his average against England to 29. In the meantime, Cummins had prevailed in his last border-gavaskar competitions, rejected him eight times and retained his average at only 22.50.
Also read: An open letter to Cheteshwar Pujara about his international retirement
Pujara’s challenges against the very best
But what makes this revelation attractive is that Pujara has also made some of his greatest innings against the same names. His heroic 123 in Adelaide in 2018 came against an attack led by Cummins. His Gruizige 153 in Johannesburg in 2013 was forged against Steyn and Morrel.
During 103 tests, Pujara scored 7,195 points on an average of 43.60, with 19 centuries. But his legacy is much larger than figures. He was once confronted with 525 balls in a single innings – the most by an Indian – that test cricket rowing in a battle for endurance. Interesting is that no Spinner has made his heaviest bowlers list, despite Nathan Lyon reject him 13 times. For Pujara, the real process was not in turn, but from the ruthless probing of fast men of world class.
Read also: Sachin Tendulkar Pens Emotional tribute to Cheteshwar Pujara on his retirement
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