Cheteshwar Pujara's retirement decision loading? County Championship, Duleep Trophy developments give major hints

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Have we all seen the last of Cheteshwar Pujara? Is Cheteshwar Pujara going to retire soon? The latest developments have given away some major hints, and the possibility of the India star retiring looms large.

Pujara, who last represented India in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia in June last year, wasn't recently picked for the Duleep Trophy first-round matches involving four teams. The 36-year-old not being picked in any of the four sides has almost made it clear that the BCCI and team management has moved on, and wish to give next generation players the opportunity.

Dozens of India regulars were named in the four squads for the first round matches which precedes a busy Test season for India which involves 10 matches in next four months.

In another massive development involving Cheteshwar Pujara, the Saurashtra batter will not return to Sussex for the 2025 season. Pujara returned to Sussex for a third consecutive season in 2024, playing six of the first seven matches.

Later, Australia's 35-year-old batter Daniel Hughes arrived for the T20 Blast 2024, and the remaining County Championship games. Hughes' run at Sussex has been impressive, and he is currently the leading run-scorer in Blast. He has scored 560 runs in 14 innings at an average of 43.07.

Sussex have retained the services of Hughes for the whole of 2025 season now. West Indies pacer Jayden Seales is the other overseas player retained by Sussex. The development all but rules out Pujara's involvement in Sussex's fixture next year.

Having last played a professional match in May, and not picked for the Duleep Trophy matches, Cheteshwar Pujara could be mulling retirement. The veteran of 103 Test matches will turn 27 in January 2025, and might opt to retire after playing one more domestic season in India. For now, he would be hoping to be picked for second and third round matches of the Duleep Trophy 2024.

Matthew Hayden calls Cheteshwar Pujara 'retired' player

Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden has already called Pujara a 'retired' cricketer while talking about India's tour of Australia later this year. While talking to PTI on the sidelines of CEAT Awards, Hayden was praising Pujara's performance in Australia in the past.

"You look at the lineups, and it's hard to really tell who has the edge. I sense that it's going to be runs that are going to be the point of difference. Guys that are sure bets have retired, like Pujara was a sure bet in Australian conditions," Hayden said.