After Cheteshwar Pujara announced his retirement from all formats of Indian cricket, former Indian captain Virat Kohli delivered a very emotional tribute, acknowledging Pujara’s considerable contribution to Indian Test cricket, and his contribution to Kohli’s own success. Kohli’s tribute was late, but sincere, and a testament to what Pujara meant to India’s golden era in red-ball cricket.
“You Made My Job Easier at No. 4″ – Virat Kohli’s Instagram Story
Although Virat Kohli did not see fit to immediately respond to Pujara’s retirement news, he subsequently put out a heartfelt remark on his Instagram story, acknowledging where credit was due.
“Thanks for making my job easier at 4, Pujji. You’ve had an amazing career. Congratulations and wish you the best for what’s ahead. God bless @cheteshwar_pujara,” Kohli said.
The statement echoed the chemistry and respect that the two giants shared, with Kohli crediting how Cheteshwar Pujara’s rock-like figure at No. 3 set the tone for his own adventures at No. 4.
Cheteshwar Pujara: A Wall After Dravid
Pujara, with his orthodox technique and stoic mind, finishes with 7,195 runs in 103 Tests at 43.60. He is placed eighth on India’s all-time Test runs list and has over 21,000 runs in first-class cricket, so it is clear that Pujara is a legend in red-ball cricket.
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His capacity to wear down attacks and particularly under tougher conditions abroad earned him favourable comparisons with Rahul Dravid, and help Pujara cement his place in the Indian Test side for well over a decade.
The Australia Series: Pujara’s Defining Legacy
Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara were integral to India’s record-breaking series win against Australia in 2018-19, a milestone that changed the narrative under Kohli. Pujara scored an incredible 521 runs in seven innings, while deserving of Player of the Series, did enough in his predictably dogged style of batting, allowing India’s bowlers and team to jump back into the contest.
Even in the 2020-21 series, despite taking countless body blows, Pujara stood tall and helped India pull off one of the greatest comebacks in Test history.
Ashwin Supports Kohli’s View on Pujara’s Contribution
Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin conveyed the opinions of Virat Kohli stating Cheteshwar Pujara’s unremarkable but significant role in Indian cricket. Ashwin on his YouTube channel, pointed out that it was Pujara’s stability at No. 3 for the batting order that gave Kohli and Rohit the opportunity to flourish.
“What did Cheteshwar Pujara stand for in Indian cricket? I said his contributions are no less than Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Obviously, a lot of people talk about their contributions. The attention is not there. Not every cricketer gets the attention, but that does not mean their contribution is any less. Pujara’s contribution at No.3, believe it or not, was instrumental in helping Virat Kohli also make a lot of his runs,” Ashwin said.
End of an Era, But a Legacy That Lasts
Cheteshwar Pujara, who made his debut against Australia in 2010 in Bengaluru, was, in the end, left out after the completion of the 2023 World Test Championship Final. His career will, however, always be associated with grit, discipline and the diminishing art of traditional Test batting.
At the same time, Virat Kohli’s homage has rekindled conversations about the unsung heroes of Indian cricket and fans and experts alike have noted how Pujara’s quiet brilliance helped create one of India’s most successful Test periods.
While stars such as Virat Kohli can commandeer the spotlight, those such as Cheteshwar Pujara provide the bedrock of that attention. Kohli’s late but powerful tribute is a reminder that teamwork, often ignored in the history books of cricket, and the sometimes quiet excellence that goes unnoticed is what separates all-time greats from star players.
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