When Pujara and Kohli Took the Crease by Storm: Best Test Partnerships You Can’t Forget

If you’ve been following Indian cricket over the last ten years, you know that Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli were a terror for opposition bowlers. A pair that worked quietly together and wrestled the game by the scruff of the necks, making it seem easy. The blend of Pujara’s resolve and Kohli’s zeal for christened havoc was an intoxicating amalgamation and allowed them to create some of the best partnerships in modern Test cricket. Since Pujara has now officially retired, it’s only right to look back at their five best partnerships, which made cricket fans clench their seats!

The Early Signs of Greatness

Every great story has a beginning. Everything changed for them in Hyderabad, where they put on 125 runs as partners. It was the first real message of India’s solid middle-order backbone. Kohli walked to the crease at a crucial moment following Tendulkar’s dismissal, and neither his 58 nor Pujara’s 159 were highlight reel material as individual performances, but together they showed both patience and aggression, and as they batted with all the pressure on them, it was as if they had been doing it together for years.

Rising to the Occasion

Their 113-run partnership was more than numbers; Kohli’s elegant century and Pujara’s determined 74 sent a clear signal: India’s middle order was not to be underestimated. Kohli’s shots were striking, and Pujara was resolute, deflecting everything he could; it was a good partnership that blended magnificent stroke play with robust defence, reminding us that despite the scenario, situation, and opposition, one can always tilt the game back in their favour.

Domination Down Under

Australia; MCG; 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar series; do we really need to say any more? Pujara and Kohli put together a partnership of 170 runs, too good for the pitch on even the hardest of days. With Pujara’s 319 balls at the crease in combination with Kohli’s 82 runs, India had certainly put themselves firmly in control of the game and only further tightened their grip on Australia. One of the reasons partnerships like these demonstrate to the world just how instrumental success in Test cricket is to two players like this.

Consistency Meets Firepower

One of their great but mostly unnoticed partnerships occurred in the second Test against England in Vishakapatnam in 2016. The third-wicket pair added 226 runs – Kohli 167 and Pujara 119 – taking India from early discomfort to epic dominance. The experienced English duo landed the first punches, unsettling India at the start. Suddenly, the entire scene was transformed. Kohli brought drama, while Pujara anchored with resilience, together showcasing calculated play rather than reckless thrills.

Overseas Resilience at Its Best

Pujara had only made his first trip to South Africa previously and had struggled, but this time, together, they looked unbeatable. With Pujara grinding out 153 and Kohli eyeing a century, India wrestled control of the match. It was a rare show of dominance in a difficult away Test. They had fought for nearly 60 overs, and for that reason partnerships are not just about runs, but ultimately how they wear the opposition down and control the game, which both of their mindsets held.

FAQs 

1: What was the highest partnership between Pujara and Kohli in Tests?

Their highest partnership was 226 runs against England in Vishakapatnam in 2016.

2: How many 50+ and 100+ partnerships did Pujara and Kohli have?

They had 18 stands of over 50 runs and 7 century partnerships.

3: Which Pujara-Kohli partnership was at the MCG during the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar series?

They put together a 170-run partnership, with Pujara scoring 319 balls for his century and Kohli making 82.