Cheteshwar Pujara unhappy with Virat Kohli slowing down to make 100 against Bangladesh, says 'Put team first'

Digital Desk: Cheteshwar Pujara slammed Virat Kohli's decision to slow down after reaching 90 in his quest for a century against Bangladesh, saying it was crucial to put the team first.

Personal achievements, according to Pujara, should not come at the expense of the team. He said this after Virat Kohli took his time scoring his century against Bangladesh in the Cricket World Cup 2023 match.

"As much as I wanted Virat Kohli to get that century, you have to remember that you want to finish the game as soon as possible. You want to have the highest Net Run Rate possible. You cannot afford to look back and say 'you could have done that' if you're fighting for the Net Run Rate," Cheteshwar Pujara told ESPN Cricinfo.

Pujara believes that Virat Kohli and other Indian players should prioritise the team above all else. He went on to say that while personal accomplishments are essential, it is the player's mindset that is most important.

"That's where I believe, as a team, you may have to make some sacrifices. you want to prioritise the team, that's how I see it. You want your goal, but not at the expense of the team. You always have an option as a player. However, some players believe that if they get a hundred, it will aid them in the next game. So it all depends on your thinking," he explained.

"The pitch was getting slower and slower, and it was becoming more difficult to bat," Pujara said in an interview. "So Virat slowed down a little to make sure he didn't escape. And it worked out well for him since he got a century."

Kohli's century was his first in Test cricket since December of this year. It was also an important innings for India, as it contributed to a first-innings total of 416.

Earlier, Australia icon Matthew Hayden commented on Kohli slowing down after 90 runs, warning that the player's form could backfire if he begins to experiment with it.

Virat Kohli reinforced his global dominance with his 48th ODI century against Bangladesh in the 2023 World Cup. Kohli raced towards his century as India was on the verge of victory, needing only 19 runs. Kohli avoided singles and pushed for the coveted three-figure mark in the last overs of the chase. KL Rahul was there to help, unfazed at the non-striker end, completely supportive of Virat's moving methods.