Kohli on Pujara’s 15th Test hundred: This was his best innings

Kohli on Pujara’s 15th Test hundred: Indian captain Virat Kohli claims Pujara’s innings to be his best-ever.

Indian captain Virat Kohli was waxed lyrical about Cheteshwar Pujara’s 15th Test century, citing that it saved India’s fortune in the Test match and the series. Pujara received accolades from his captain as Kohli declared him as India’s most solid batsman.

Speaking in a broadcast for the official website of the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), Kohli interviewed Pujara on the morning of Day 3 of the Test match. On being asked about his mindset throughout the innings and the confidence which he gained from the half-century in the last match at Trent Bridge, Pujara said, “The last Test match obviously helped me as it gave me a lot of confidence. I trusted my preparation and implemented the same in this match.

“But to be honest, when we were batting together, we thought that we would get a 100-run (or 150) first innings lead. But unfortunately you (Kohli) got out and the rest of the batsmen could have batted well, but it something we can do in the second innings. ”

Both India’s No. 3 and No. 4 batsmen were full of praises for the tail-enders who made sure that they didn’t give their wicket cheaply. “Initially, I thought that I might be 80-85 not out and we might be bowled out. But with the way Ishant (Sharma) and (Jasprit) Bumrah batted, I was really pleased by it. I don’t think I have seen many tail-enders do that in the past. I think we can rely on them now”, he said.

Talking about Pujara’s innings, Kohli said, “This is by far your best knock that I have seen. I thought Colombo (in 2016) was your top knock but this has to be at the top of the table.”

Even Pujara agreed to the fact that this is till date his best innings. Watch the full interview below where both Kohli and Pujara discuss about batting in the second innings: