It’s a historic day in Indian cricket as one of its greatest ever batters, Virat Kohli, makes his 100th Test appearance.
Virat Kohli was felicitated with a special Test cap by head coach and legendary Indian batter Rahul Dravid on the morning of the Mohali Test against Sri Lanka on Friday. Dravid presented Kohli with a special memento with the team members lined behind them and Virat Kohli standing with his wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma.
Virat Kohli became only the 12th Indian – a list that includes the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev – and 71st player overall to feature in 100 Tests.
Kohli thanked Rahul Dravid for felicitating him with his 100th Test cap and also his current and former teammates for being with him in his staggering journey.
Further, Kohli also sent out a message to the youngsters. He said that he hopes the next generation cricketers can take inspiration from him that he had reached the 100 Test landmark while also playing the other two formats plus the IPL.
“The only thing I would say is in this day and age, in the present-day cricket, with the amount of cricket we play – the three formats and an IPL – the only takeaway if the next generation can take from my Test career is that I was able to strive through and play the purest format of the game and get to 100 Test matches, which is something that I am very proud of. And I couldn’t have received it from a better person, one of my childhood heroes,” Kohli said.
Virat Kohli remains the only batter averaging over 50 in all three international formats. He has shown an incredible work ethic, massive attention to fitness that allowed him to strive across formats.
What a moment to commemorate his 100th Test appearance in whites ??
Words of appreciation from the Head Coach Rahul Dravid and words of gratitude from @imVkohli??#VK100 | #INDvSL | @Paytm pic.twitter.com/zfX0ZIirdz
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 4, 2022
Now in his 100th Test, Virat Kohli averages 50.39 in the longest format at the moment – this is despite him not scoring a century for over two years, and what has been termed as being an “out of form” period for the run-machine. He has scored 7962 runs in his first 99 Tests, with the help of 27 centuries, 7 of which are double hundreds, and 28 fifties.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, standing in his first Test as captain, won the toss and elected to bat first.
