‘He was angry when I bowled him out’ – When Virat Kohli’s advice helped Tamil Nadu pacer dismiss Cheteshwar Pujara during Ranji Trophy game

Tamil Nadu took on Saurashtra in their season-opening game of the Ranji Trophy 2024/25. The match played in Coimbatore saw the home team record an easy win by an innings and 70 runs. The game featured out-of-favour Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored 16 runs in the game including a duck in the 2nd innings. 

Gurjapneet Singh, Tamil Nadu’s left-arm seamer got India’s former number 3 batter. After his dismissal, the left-arm pacer credited Virat Kohli for helping him with a crucial piece of advice. Gurjapneet Singh ended the game with 6/22 from his 14 overs in the 2nd innings. 

During his chat with the Indian Express, the young pacer recounted how he dismissed Kohli in the nets. India’s former skipper was angry at himself but later applauded the pacer and also gave him a few pointers. “After I bowled him, I looked at him and didn’t dare to look at him again, He was very, very angry. But I realised, he was angry with himself more than anything. And after a straight drive, he again looked at me and smiled,” he said.

Virat Kohli turns mentor for young Tamil Nadu pacer 

Gurjapneet Singh also recounted how Virat Kohli suggested a minor change. “He told me, when there is no movement, change the angle and try bowling around the wicket. Because with that angle, even if you manage to get slight movement, it will end up troubling most batsmen,” he added.

With this in mind, Singh who clocks in the mid-130s range was ready to bowl against Pujara. After troubling the veteran Indian star for a few balls, Singh bowled a full ball that beat Pujara for pace and was out LBW for a duck. 

During his chat with Indian Express, the Chennai-based pacer also revealed, “When you bowl to a legendary batsman like him, you have to be accurate from the word go. So the plan was to push him on the back foot and then send in a good front foot ball that would make him uncomfortable.”

In the first innings, the left-arm didn’t manage to pick any wicket but former India pacer turned Tamil Nadu coach L Balaji helped him calm his nerves. “Having gone wicketless in the first innings, Bala bhai told me to go out there looking for a wicket as there is a strong chance that I would deviate from the plan. And with the pitch not offering much, around the stumps was the best option and it worked as we also saw Jaidev Unadkat do the same in the morning session,” he said.