Cheteshwar Pujara has paid glowing tribute to Virat Kohli, calling Test cricket the true heartbeat of Kohli’s storied international career. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo following Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, Pujara highlighted the former captain’s deep commitment to the format, his fitness revolution, and his unmatched hunger to win.
Kohli recently retired from Tests after a remarkable 14-year journey that saw him play 123 matches and score over 8,800 runs. His legacy, according to Pujara, is not just about the numbers, but about the intent and values he brought to red-ball cricket.
“He paid a lot of attention to Test cricket at a time when many youngsters were gravitating towards white-ball formats,” Pujara said. “For Virat, the ultimate form of the game was always Test cricket, and he worked really hard to uphold its standards.”
Revolutionizing Indian Fitness
One of Kohli’s most impactful contributions was transforming the Indian team’s fitness culture. After taking over as full-time captain in January 2015, he introduced a new standard of athleticism, which, Pujara says, elevated the performance of the entire squad—especially the fast bowlers.
“When he began leading the team, he brought in a culture where fitness wasn’t optional—it was expected,” Pujara recalled. “And that mindset shift helped India field one of the most competitive bowling attacks in the world.”
This fitness-first approach became the foundation of India’s overseas success during Kohli’s reign, including famous wins in Australia and England.
Hunting in Packs: Kohli’s Mindset on the Field
Kohli’s captaincy was built around taking 20 wickets—India’s route to Test wins. Even if it meant sacrificing batting depth, Kohli backed his bowlers to deliver.
“From the time he was in charge, he always stressed the importance of taking 20 wickets,” said Pujara. “He created an atmosphere on the field where the opposition felt constant pressure. We were out there to win—not just to compete.”
A defining moment came during the 2021 Lord’s Test. With India running out of time on the final day, Kohli delivered an impassioned speech, urging his bowlers to give England “60 overs of hell.” The result: a dramatic 151-run win that turned the series.
“It was one of the best victories I’ve been part of,” Pujara said. “It was a brave call to declare and go for the win on a flat pitch. But that was Virat—he always backed bold decisions.”
A Century to Remember
When asked about his favorite Kohli innings, Pujara pointed to the gutsy century in Perth during India’s historic 2018-19 tour of Australia. Though India lost that particular Test, Kohli’s approach on a seaming pitch earned admiration.
“He came out aggressively—those straight drives, those classic cover drives, the controlled pull shots… it was masterclass batting,” Pujara said.
India would go on to win the series 2-1—their first-ever Test series win in Australia, with Kohli leading from the front in spirit, fitness, and performance.
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