Virat Kohli, one of India’s greatest cricketing icons and former captain, heartfelt tribute to his teammate Cheteshwar Pujara after he retired from all forms of cricket. Kohli publicly pays tribute and praises how Pujara was a cornerstone of India’s Test batting lineup and how much he personally benefited from Pujara’s powerful presence at the crucial No. 3 spot.
This tribute highlights not only their strong partnership but also the vital role Pujara played in making Kohli’s job at No. 4 easier and more productive.
Virat Kohli’s Tribute
Virat Kohli posted on Instagram two days after Cheteshwar Pujara had announced his retirement on August 26, 2025, to write a very emotional message to Pujara. He said, “Thank you for making my work easy at 4 Pujji. You’ve had an amazing career. Congratulations and good luck for the future. God bless.” This brief but strong note praises the role of Pujara in the batting career of Kohli, particularly referring to how Pujara could carry the innings along at No. 3 at the expense of Kohli at No. 4 in a manner that the latter was able to build his own innings.
The phrase “making my job easier” is a genuine reflection of how crucial Pujara was as a batting anchor who would often play out difficult bowling spells and stabilize the innings, especially against hostile attacks in challenging overseas conditions. Kohli’s acknowledgment is a rare glimpse into team dynamics and the mutual reliance between top-order batsmen in Test cricket, illustrating how partnership and support contribute to individual and team success.
Pujara’s Role and Impact in Indian Cricket
Cheteshwar Pujara retired with 7,195 Test runs at an average of 43.60 across 103 matches, which places him among India’s finest long-format players. Renowned for his grit, patience, and unyielding concentration, Pujara embodied the classic Test batsman, famously known for his ability to bat time and anchor the innings. His role at No. 3 was critical, as he often faced the new ball and hostile bowling, like in India’s historic 2018-19 Australia tour, where he scored 521 runs and was instrumental in India’s first-ever Test series win on Australian soil.
Supporting Virat Kohli’s batting at No. 4, Pujara’s temperament and resilience allowed Kohli and others to play more freely. This symbiotic relationship highlights why Kohli openly credits Pujara with enabling many of his runs in Tests. Their partnership yielded 3,513 runs together in 83 innings with seven century stands and 18 half-century partnerships, further emphasizing the consistency and importance of their combined efforts.
Why Kohli’s Tribute Matters
The tribute given by Virat Kohli means more than a congratulatory message. It unveils some of the most important facts concerning cricket alliances and the underestimated functions that are sometimes played by certain players to allow others to shine. The selfless, hard-working nature of Pujara, in his case, was not flashy but was priceless. The success of No. 4 was enhanced by the fact that Kohli had such a reliable batter at No. 3, and this gave the team balance and stability.
Kohli also revealed Pujara as a publicity stunt after a minor delay, also demonstrating the human element; there are certain times when the greatness of a particular input is such that it needs time to sink in truly. The tribute is a reminder of how fellow teammates appreciate the groundwork others have provided them with in a game that takes more patience and endurance than talent. It also puts into emphasis that Pujara was one of the unsung heroes of Indian cricket, and his worth has been appreciated by his time, coaches, and even cricketing legends. Even his former teammate and spinner Ravichandran Ashwin referred to Pujari as a Test legend in whom Kohli could not have attained his success.
Also Read: Cheteshwar Pujara Picks Three Underrated Teammates Who Deserved More Fame
Pujara’s Legacy and Kohli’s Wish for the Future
Beyond the numbers, the career of Pujara was characterized by the observance of the values of Test cricket: emphasis, perseverance, and loyalty to the team. Kohli hopes that the best gets ahead, and also addresses the post-retirement career of Pujara in something such as commentary or mentoring, where his experience and knowledge can still do good in the sport.
Their collaboration is usually referred to as the golden age of middle order in Tests by India, demonstrating the way that, when the brilliance of individuals and the synergy of the team result in historic achievements. It is a tribute with respect and a sense of warmth, and not only a farewell, but also a sincere thank you to all that Pujara did to Indian cricket as well as to Kohli himself.
