Batting great Cheteshwar Pujara On August 24, 2025, announcing his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket, he has drawn curtains on his remarkable career. For more than a decade, Pujara was long in number 3 in tests, once owned status Rahul DravidWith the patience and unwavering nature of his old school, he became a rock of India in the middle when the wickets fell quickly to absorb pressure.
During 103 trials, Pujara scored 7,195 runs, prepared 19 centuries, and produced countless match-rescue efforts, which shaped India’s biggest victory in both home and abroad. He was not just about numbers – that batsman was found to be the most difficult to dislike opposition bowlers, the man who turned to grind the sessions into an art form.
3 players who can replace Cheteshwar Pujara in Tests for India
- Abhimanyu ezavaran
The 29 -year -old Bengal opener stands as the most experienced candidate among the three contenders, claiming a remarkable stability in domestic cricket, which has made him impossible to ignore. Ezavaran has scored more than 7,800 runs in 103 first -class matches of 48.70, including 27 centuries. His recent form is no less than extraordinary, especially in 2024–25 his unprecedented runs where he scored in four consecutive first class centuries.
Easyvaran’s recent Purple Patch includes impressive scores of 191 against the Iranian Cup MumbaiAfter centuries after Duleep Trophy And against a brilliant 127 Uttar Pradesh In Ranji TrophySince 2021, he has scored an average of about 3,000 runs on an average of over 61, making him the most frequent red-ball opener in Indian domestic cricket during that period. His ability to start converting in a meaningful innings is exposed by track records of Big Hundreds of people, including the highest score of 233. The traditional approach of the Bengal batsman’s batting and solid defense wearing bowlers has made him an ideal candidate to fill Pujara’s shoes in the position of Crusail No. 3.
- Sarfaraz Khan
The 27 -year -old Mumbai batsman despite a limited international experience brings an impressive test lineage, which has already announced himself on the largest stage with a remarkable performance. Sarfaraz has scored 371 runs in 6 Tests on an average of 37.10, including a memorable girl Test Century as compared to 150. New ZealandHis domestic record is not less than unprecedented, with 4,685 runs in 55 first -class matches at an outstanding average of 65.99, featuring 16 centuries.
Sarfaraz makes Sarfaraz specially special, his first class average is around 69.20, which is fourth among the great people of all time with at least 2,000 runs, only behind. Don Bradman And Victory traderHis recent form includes a magnificent double century (not 222) in the Iranian Cup, which leads to its reputation as a run machine. Sarfaraz’s ability to convert begins in large scores, clear from its record of converting 10 out of its 15 first-class centuries into a 150-plus score, with four doubles with his name. Their fearless approach and natural strokeplay, combined with their proven ability to handle pressure conditions, make them a compelling option for number 3 location.
- Sai Sudhrasan
23 years old Tamil Nadu The left -handed batsman has represented India’s next generation batting talent, already tasted international cricket with 3 Tests, where he scored 129 runs, including a half -century. Despite making his test debut with first class average below 40 (39.93), Sai Sudhrasan Notable reforms and adaptability have shown. He has 1,396 runs in 27 first-class matches with 6 centuries, and his recent form has been impressive with a dual century against the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy. Delhi,
The versatility of good luck across the forms is evident from his outstanding IPL performances, where he scored 527 runs in 2024, an average of 47 on average and was the orange cap winner with 759 runs in 2025. Their technical sound and the ability to customize their game according to the positions of the match were clear with Surrey during his county tenure, where he created his first championship century. However, he had a challenging test beginning with a score of 0 and 30 against England, his mental strength and visual technique, combined with their natural strokeplays and nature, suggests that they have tools to succeed at the highest level with higher experiences.
The three contenders provide each unique strength: Ishwar Siddha Domestic Stability and Traditional Test Match brings nature, Sarfaraz provides an extraordinary conversion rate and fearless approach, while Sudarshan represents the future with his adaptability and multi-rich skills. As India seeks Pujara’s successor, any of these three important number 3 can provide the necessary stability and run-scoring capacity in the position.
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