3 players who can likely be India's next Cheteshwar Pujara in Test team

Batting stalwart Cheteshwar Pujara announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket on August 24, 2025. For over a decade, Pujara was the Test team’s dependable player at No. 3, carrying forward the legacy of Rahul Dravid with his old-school approach of patience. With 7,195 Test runs, 19 centuries, and several unforgettable performances in India’s historic series wins at home and abroad, he became one of the toughest batters to dismiss in modern cricket.
 
Notably, only a few batters in this generation have shown the art of traditional Test batting consistently and effectively. Now, as India moves into a transitional phase, especially with three batting greats, including Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, exiting from the red-ball format, the challenge will be to find someone who can offer similar stability at No. 3. 

Also Check: 'Take a bow on a stellar career' - Tributes pour in from all corners as Cheteshwar Pujara retires

Here are the three players who can likely be India's next Cheteshwar Pujara in Test team:

3. Abhimanyu Easwaran

Top-order batter Abhimanyu Easwaran, who is considered one of India’s most dependable red-ball prospects, is highly spoken of as a potential successor to Cheteshwar Pujara in the Test setup. Representing Bengal in domestic cricket, Easwaran has had a solid domestic career so far. With over 7800 runs in first-class cricket at an average of 48.70, including 27 centuries, he has been considered a reliable top-order batter.

Despite being part of India’s Test squads for tours to Australia and England, Easwaran is still awaiting his debut. His performances for India A, where he has often led the side, have shown his leadership qualities. Despite consistently performing in the domestic circuit and being in the scheme of things, he hasn't yet broken in. However, if given a chance, most likely in the No. 3 spot, the 29-year-old is set to do wonders. Now, he will be seen leading the East Zone in the upcoming Duleep Trophy.

Also Check: 3 uncapped players to watch out for in Duleep Trophy 2025