Thank You For Making My Job At No.4 Easier: Virat Kohli To Pujara

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli paid a heartfelt tribute to Cheteshwar Pujara following the latter’s retirement from all forms of Indian cricket. Kohli also echoed R Ashwin’s sentiments, highlighting how Pujara’s presence at No. 3 often made his own job at No. 4 easier and played a vital role in many of his runs in Test cricket.

Pujara enjoyed an illustrious career that spanned 103 Test matches, in which he amassed 7195 runs at an average of 43.60. Renowned for his grit, patience, and resilience, the Saurashtra stalwart stood as the backbone of India’s batting line-up for over a decade.

Pujara also shared many memorable partnerships with Kohli. The duo put together 3438 runs at an average of 42.4, including 17 fifty-plus stands and seven century-plus partnerships. They crossed the 200-run mark twice - a 222-run stand against South Africa in 2013 and a 226-run partnership against England in 2016.

Speaking on his YouTube channel Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin said: “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.”

Kohli, in his tribute via Instagram story, expressed similar admiration for his former teammate. “Thank you 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 you @cheteshwar_pujara,” wrote Kohli.

As for Kohli, he has already bid farewell to T20Is and Tests, but remains keen to represent India at the 2027 ODI World Cup. His next assignment will be the three-match ODI series against Australia in October.