Virat Kohli’s emotional note for Cheteshwar Pujara: ‘Thank you for making my job easier at 4’ | Cricket News – Times of India

Virat Kohli has penned a tribute for his lengthy-time teammate Cheteshwar Pujara, two days after the latter introduced his retirement from all kinds of cricket. The former India captain took to Instagram on Tuesday, posting a message for Pujara that learn: “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 @cheteshwar_pujara.” Pujara, who occupied the No.3 place for greater than a decade, was usually the anchor in India’s batting order, setting the stage for Kohli at No.4. The pair constructed a number of memorable partnerships in Test cricket, particularly throughout abroad excursions.

The 37-12 months-outdated introduced down the curtain on his profession on Sunday, drawing heat needs from followers and fellow cricketers alike. Kohli’s submit, although barely delayed, was seen as a becoming acknowledgment from somebody who shared numerous hours within the center with him.

Virat Kohli’s story for Cheteshwar Pujara on Instagram (Screengrab)

Under Kohli’s Test captaincy, Pujara delivered some of his most interesting performances. One of probably the most defining moments got here throughout the 2018/19 tour of Australia, the place he amassed 521 runs in 4 Tests. He scored three centuries, was named Player of the Match in Sydney, and secured the Player of the Series award as India sealed a historic 2-1 victory. That tour additionally produced lighter recollections, together with visuals of a reluctant Pujara being pressured right into a celebratory dance by his teammates. Kohli had joked then, “Rishabh (Pant) came up with it and we just went along. It felt good and it was very easy (to do), but Pujara couldn’t even do that! You can see how simple he is.” There could not have been a extra becoming instance to indicate the connection the 2 shared on the pitch and off of it through the years.

While Kohli himself stepped away from Test cricket earlier this 12 months in May, Pujara’s retirement simply three months later has drawn the curtain on an period by which each males had been central figures of India’s batting line-up.