Brian Lara, the legendary West Indies cricketer, casts doubt on Virat Kohli’s ability to break Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries. While Kohli recently surpassed Tendulkar’s ODI century record with his 50th ton, Lara believes the feat of reaching 100 international centuries remains elusive.
Lara cites Kohli’s age and the sheer magnitude of the task as key factors. To match Tendulkar, Kohli would need to average five centuries per year for the next four years, reaching the age of 39. “Tough job, very tough job,” Lara remarked.
Brian Lara acknowledges the uncertainty inherent in such predictions, emphasizing that “20 centuries seem a long way away. Most cricketers can’t score that in their entire career.” He further cautions against overestimation, stating, “I won’t be adventurous and say Kohli will do it. Age doesn’t stop for anyone.”
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However, Lara acknowledges Kohli’s potential to come closest to Tendulkar’s record. He praises Kohli’s discipline, dedication, and preparation, emphasizing his admiration for the Indian batting maestro. “Only Kohli can come close. I’m a big fan of his discipline and dedication,” Brian Lara admits, wishing him the best and expressing happiness if he achieves the seemingly impossible.
Lara also defends Kohli against criticism regarding his slow batting during the World Cup, attributing it to envy of his exceptional talent.
“Those saying all these are jealous of him. They are envious of the amount of runs he has scored. I have faced this too in my career,” Brian Lara states, drawing parallels to his own experiences.
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While Kohli’s path to matching Tendulkar’s century record appears daunting, Lara’s insights provide a realistic perspective. Kohli’s age and the sheer number of centuries needed present significant obstacles. However, his talent, dedication, and unwavering focus on cricket keep the possibility alive. Only time will tell if Kohli can defy the odds and ascend to the Mount Everest of international cricket batting records.
