He has definitely changed as a person in a positive way: Cheteshwar Pujara on Virat Kohli

When they started their playing careers as Indian internationals, one could not have been blamed for having thought that Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli possess contrasting personalities. While Pujara exuded a calm, tranquil aura, Virat Kohli was known for his aggressive swagger. Nearly a decade since they made their test debuts, the duo have become the cornerstones of success for India in the Test match arena. 

While Virat has not completely abandoned his heart on the sleeve approach to the game that has brought him so much success, he certainly has mellowed down in life, and

Pujara believes that that has had a positive impact on his game. “He has definitely changed as a person in a positive way,” said Pujara talking to Harsha Bhogle on Cricbuzz. “I think it is helping him in his game also. Because look at the number of games he’s playing in. Now, it’s a different story altogether. But, there was a time when he was playing all three formats, and the number of games he was playing, mentally, if I was in that situation, I wouldn’t enjoy my cricket. But, he could sustain that, and I’m sure spirituality or whatever process he’s going through, I think it is helping him.”

Virat’s fitness transformation is an aspect that has repeatedly received plaudits, and Pujara was not to be left behind in his praise for the Indian captain. “From a player’s perspective, I’m sure, the way he has worked on his fitness, he has changed his diet completely, he has turned vegetarian, that’s a big change. But, to do that, it is not easy. Mentally you have to be very strong to accept all such things. Because, if you are following such routine, if you are having a big change in your diet, you get tempted to try and have different things. He’s very particular about what he eats,” he acknowledged.

Pujara’s words almost had a tone of gratitude when speaking of batting with Virat in Test cricket. Known for his sage-like patience and unbreakable levels of concentration, the India No.3 feels batting with Virat takes the pressure off him. “I enjoy playing with him,” Pujara said. “The reason is he is very positive. So once he’s at the crease, I know that bowlers will try and take his wicket, because they feel that they can get him out early. But, his approach is different, he will be positive. If he gets a half-volley on the first ball, he will try and hit it for four. So, the scoreboard is moving, there is not much pressure on myself, because the opposition is thinking that they will have to pick Virat’s wicket, and he is playing positive. So, their focus is shifting to Virat, and I can be relaxed at the other end.”

The hallmark of any great partnership is communication, and the Pujara-Kohli duo does not fall short in that aspect. Speaking about Virat’s openness to taking advice while batting, Pujara mentioned, “In-between the over when we start discussing what is happening, we always pass on the message. As soon as he comes in, he will ask, what they are trying to do, how the ball is swinging. If it’s a left-arm seamer, what are the angles they are using, whether he is trying to bowl an in-swinger or an away-swinger So, there’s a lot of communication as well.”

Virat’s positivity has an influence on the opposition’s mindset as well, says the Saurashtra run machine. “I feel the moment he starts being positive, there’s a lot of pressure on the opposition team, and I can be relaxed, I can just keep playing the same way I have been, and there have been times where, because their focus is on Virat, I get some extra loose balls,” he added.