Team India batsman Cheteshwar Pujara was the fulcrum of the side in the recently-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy where the visitors scripted a 2-1 series win. India’s No.3 has now revealed the names of two Indian cricketers who allowed him to play his natural game.

While Pujara was not able to replicate his form from the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2018-19, the batsman from Saurashtra played some crucial knocks. More importantly, he batted for long hours to hold the fort in the absence of Virat Kohli.

Rohit and Gill helped me play freely – Cheteshwar Pujara

Meanwhile, Cheteshwar Pujara’s fighting knock in the fourth innings at the Gabba earned applauds from all quarters. He survived 11 body blows to battle out in the middle before Rishabh Pant played the match-winning knock to win it for India. In an interaction with Hindustan Times, Pujara said Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill’s attacking game helped him to play freely.

Also Read: “Had To Take Sleeping Pills,” Shubman Gill Recalls His Test Debut In Melbourne

“Both of them (Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill) are attacking players. That does help me in some way. If another partner is trying to take the bowler on, it allows me to play my natural game. I have batted with Viru pajji (Sehwag) also, where he would have already put the opposition under pressure with his batting. That’s a great way to build a partnership,” said Pujara.

Cheteshwar Pujara was one of the most effective batters for India tiring Australia’s pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood. He batted more than 900 deliveries and managed to occupy a considerable amount of time with attacking batters in the other end, during the India-Australia Test series.

He, thus, had stitched valuable stands with Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Rohit Sharma, for a brief period, to snatch the momentum from Tim Paine & Co. in their own backyard, en route India’s stunning 2-1 series win.

Also Read: Monty Panesar Names India’s 3 Key Players For England Tests

However, the series against Australia is a past for Cheteshwar Pujara. He has now set his eyes on the upcoming four-match Test series against England starting from February 5 in Chennai.