Cheteshwar Pujara responds to Virat Kohli's 'making my job easier' comment

NEW DELHI: India’s batting icon Virat Kohli on Tuesday thanked longtime teammate Cheteshwar Pujara for making his role "easier" in the Test middle order, with the duo forming a strong partnership for nearly a decade.Pujara, 37, announced his retirement from international cricket on Sunday, having made his Test debut in 2010 against Australia in Bengaluru.

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"Thank you for making my job easier at (number) 4 pujji. You've had an amazing career. Congratulations and wish you the best for what's ahead. God bless @cheteshwarpujara," Kohli, who himself retired from Tests in May this year, wrote on Instagram.Pujara responded warmly to Kohli’s tribute."Will cherish the memorable times on and off the field! Thank you for your kind words," he said.Together, Kohli and Pujara compiled 3,513 runs in 83 Test innings, registering seven century partnerships and 18 half-century stands at an average of 43.37.Pujara’s retirement drew widespread admiration from former teammates and coaches, who praised his grit, resilience, and selfless contributions to Indian cricket.

Across 103 Tests, Pujara scored 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, including 19 centuries and 35 fifties.He was central to Kohli’s Test side that scripted a historic series win in Australia during the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, amassing 521 runs in seven innings.In the 2020-21 edition of the series in Australia, he once again proved pivotal, scoring 271 runs in four matches at 33.87, with three half-centuries and a highest of 77.

In first-class cricket, Pujara played 278 matches, scoring 21,301 runs at an average of 51.82, with 66 centuries and 81 fifties. His highest score was 352.Pujara’s final appearance for India came in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in London.