Cheteshwar Pujara’s money story: the calm, methodical way
Most cricketers who skip the IPL spotlight don’t top rich lists. Cheteshwar Pujara is the quiet exception. His estimated net worth sits between ₹24 crore and ₹30 crore in 2025, built on steady contracts, long seasons, and a playing style that put team needs ahead of brand deals. If you’re wondering how that adds up, the answer is simple: time in the middle, year after year, across formats that actually pay for endurance.
Pujara, 37, has called time on all forms of Indian cricket, ending a career defined by patience and grit at No. 3. He leaves the game with 103 Tests, 7,195 runs at 43.6, 19 hundreds, and the respect of every bowler who tried—and failed—to hurry him. Money followed that consistency, not the other way around.
At the core of his earnings was the BCCI central contract. In the 2022–23 list, he was in Grade B—₹3 crore retainers for the season—alongside match fees that reward those who make the XI. For Tests, that fee has been widely reported at ₹15 lakh per match for playing members, with separate rates for ODIs and T20Is. Stack that over a decade in India whites and you see why the numbers look healthy even without the T20 blitz.
Cheteshwar Pujara net worth grew in layers: international cricket, domestic seasons with Saurashtra, and multiple county chapters in England. While he never chased IPL fame, he made sound choices that kept a dependable income flowing—especially those stints with Yorkshire and later Sussex, where he piled up runs and even captained. Add in measured endorsements—mostly gear and a handful of low-key partnerships—and you get a portfolio that reflects the man: steady, low-drama, and built for the long run.
His retirement message said it best: wearing the India jersey meant everything. The money story sits behind that, but it mirrors the same traits that made him a mainstay—discipline, patience, and a taste for tough runs under pressure.
Where the money came from—and why it lasted
Break down Pujara’s earnings and a pattern emerges. He maximized the formats that valued grind: long Tests for India, long county seasons, and long domestic campaigns. The IPL, where paydays can be dizzying, was rarely central to his plans. He did feature in the league in earlier years and was back on a squad in 2021, but limited game time meant his T20 earnings never matched the flashier names. It didn’t need to.
Key income streams over his career:
- BCCI central retainers: Grade B in 2022–23 (₹3 crore). In previous cycles, he has moved between grades depending on selection and performance.
- International match fees: Test appearances stacked real value over a decade, particularly in seasons with heavy red-ball schedules.
- County cricket: Regular deals with Yorkshire and then Sussex gave him reliable off-season income, captaincy roles, and plenty of game time.
- Domestic cricket: With Saurashtra, he logged full seasons. The BCCI’s revised domestic match fees over recent years raised payouts for senior pros.
- Endorsements: Select, steady partnerships—largely equipment and regional brands—rather than splashy national campaigns.
Put together, that mix explains the reported ₹15 lakh monthly income during his peak playing years. It wasn’t one blockbuster cheque; it was a year-round schedule with multiple pay lines. Importantly, county gigs did more than top up the bank account. They kept his game sharp, gave him leadership exposure, and cemented his value as a red-ball specialist—the profile that sustained both selection and earnings.
Context helps here. Central contracts are tiered—A+ (₹7 crore), A (₹5 crore), B (₹3 crore), and C (₹1 crore) in recent seasons—so Grade B is solid. Add Test match fees, which are among the highest per game globally, and a batter who holds a first-choice slot can build long-term security without ever being a T20 regular. That’s exactly what Pujara did.
There’s also the longevity bonus. Staying fit and relevant in a format that punishes lapses means you play more, and you play deeper into innings. Pujara’s career was built on that. From marathon knocks at home to the innings that defined series abroad, he kept the runs coming. More games, more fees, more endorsements—even if understated ones.
What about assets and spending? Pujara has kept his private life private. No splashy car collections, no social showcases of extravagant buys. Friends and teammates often describe him as grounded. That usually translates to sensible money habits—family home base in Rajkot, measured investments, and a focus on long-term security rather than quick wins. Exact numbers are his business, but the absence of noise is telling.
Here’s the cricketing context that powered the finances. Pujara’s Test highs were era-defining. In the 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, he scored 521 runs with three hundreds—Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney—and set up India’s first-ever series win there. Two years later, during the 2020–21 comeback that ended with a famous win at the Gabba, he soaked up body blows and time, allowing the stroke-makers to play around him. Those innings don’t pay via glitzy auctions, but they pay in retention, selection, and a reputation that opens doors—county contracts, leadership roles, and post-playing gigs.
His numbers back the story: 103 Tests, 7,195 runs, 19 hundreds, 35 fifties, and a top score of 206*. Two double hundreds at home—one against England in Ahmedabad, another against Australia in Hyderabad—bookend a career that was equal parts old-school and invaluable. He also logged seasons that helped Saurashtra become a domestic force, contributing to a Ranji Trophy breakthrough era for the state.
So what’s next for the finances after retiring from Indian cricket? The door to county cricket remains open because his announcement was specific to Indian cricket. Expect options on three fronts:
- County return: Short or full stints as a senior pro, with batting and leadership value, are very much in play.
- Mentoring and coaching: Batting consultancy—either with state teams, academies, or franchises—fits his skill set and temperament.
- Media and analysis: Select commentary or studio roles during Test series could add a flexible income stream without the full-time grind.
There’s a bigger point here about how different kinds of cricketers make money. IPL stars can hit nine figures over a few auctions. Red-ball anchors like Pujara take the marathon route: central contracts, match fees, and steady off-season deals abroad. Neither is better or worse; they’re just different economies. His story shows a third lesson too—when your craft is trusted in dressing rooms around the world, work finds you even after the last India cap.
Pujara won’t be remembered for endorsements or price tags. He’ll be remembered for the time he gave his team—time that translated into series wins overseas and stability at No. 3 after a legend retired. The money followed that reputation, quietly and predictably, into a nest egg that would make any professional athlete nod with approval.