While the BCCI President Sourav Ganguly and star India cricketer Virat Kohli have had their issues – that were blown out in public with Kohli contradicting Ganguly’s statement – in the recent past, the mutual respect between the two giants of Indian cricket remains solid.
Sourav Ganguly has now completed his vacation in London and has flown to Chandigarh. He is set to attend Kohli’s landmark 100th Test match, starting Friday in Mohali against Sri Lanka. Ganguly had been holidaying with his daughter Sana who studies in London.
The BCCI president revealed this current happening in his recent Instagram post. “Time to say bye to the great city ..it’s always hard ..on my way to Chandigarh,” he captioned the post.
Virat Kohli will become only the 12th Indian and 71st player overall to play in 100 Tests when he takes the field at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali on Friday. In his 99 Tests so far, Kohli averages 50.39 at the moment – this is despite him not scoring a century for over two years, and what fans have called “out of form” period for the run-machine. He has scored 7962 runs in 99 Tests, with the help of 27 centuries, 7 of which are double hundreds, and 28 fifties.
“Virat’s had a great journey. Starting 10-11 years ago and getting to where he has reached today is an exceptional achievement. On behalf of BCCI and also a former captain and player who has played 100 Test matches and more, I wish him all the very best,” said Ganguly in a tribute video released by the BCCI.
“He has had a fantastic career and he is still got some time left to achieve greater milestones and I hope he continues doing that. Congratulations to him, his family, his coach and all those who were involved in his cricketing career.”
Another interesting story that has developed in recent days has been that the board has now allowed a 50% capacity crowd in the stadium while initially the game was decided to be played behind closed doors.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a statement: “The first Test between India and Sri Lanka to be played at the Punjab Cricket Stadium in Mohali will not be held behind closed doors. The decision to allow spectators into the ground is one taken by the State Cricketing Associations and in the present circumstances, is based on various factors. I have spoken with the PCA office bearers and they have confirmed that cricket fans will be able to witness the historic moment of Virat Kohli playing his 100th Test match.”
