'Not at the cost of the team': Cheteshwar Pujara reacts to Virat Kohli slowing down to reach century

It was another day and yet another batting masterclass from Virat Kohli. After playing a monumental role in the win against Australia and Afghanistan, this time Kohli fought the odds to break his World Cup century jinx and indeed got to his 48th ODI hundred in the match against Bangladesh. While the majority of the fans are happy to witness Kohli's century, some knowers of the game say Kohli kept his century over the team's objective.

3 things you need to know

• India defeated Bangladesh by 7 wickets in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023
• Virat Kohli scored a scintillating century in the match
• Team India showcases a 100% win record after 4 matches

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Virat Kohli's dramatic 48th

Judging by how things transpired in Pune, it could be gauged that Virat Kohli was eager to break his World Cup century jinx. The equation was in a precarious situation as India needed 15 to win, which at the same time was also the number Kohli required to get to his 48th ODI hundred. While the former was certain, the latter was dependent on several factors. And following KL Rahul's rejection to take a single, and umpire Richard Kettleborough not calling a marginal leg-side ball a wide, all departments were ticked and Kohli got to his hundred. 

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Cheteshwar Pujara on Virat Kohli's century

Kohli's approach did not land well with veteran India batter Cheteshwar Pujara, who did not like the way NRR was compromised in the match. 

"As much I wanted Virat Kohli to score that hundred, you have to keep in mind, you want to finish the game as early as possible. You want your Net Run Rate to be at the top. If you are in a position where you are fighting for the Net Run Rate, then you don't want to look back and say 'you could have done that," Cheteshwar Pujara told ESPN Cricinfo.

"That's where I feel that as a collective decision, maybe you have to sacrifice a bit. You want to look at the team, you want to put the team first, that's how I look at it. You want your milestone, but not at the cost of the team. As a player, you always have a choice. But some players feel if they get a hundred, it helps them in the next game. So it depends on what kind of mindset you have," he added.