Veteran Team India batter Virat Kohli has given an answer to his critics about him not scoring an away Test hundred for nearly five years after smashing his 29th Test century. The veteran stated that he has scored more Test centuries away from home than at home as well. Notably, Kohli’s 121 off 206 balls on Day 2 of the second Test against West Indies at Port of Spain in Trinidad on Friday, was his first Test century away from home since December 2018 as well.
Speaking to the host broadcaster after the end of the second day’s play, Kohli said, “Honestly, these things are for others to talk on the outside. I have got 15 centuries away from home, not quite a bad record. I have got more centuries away from home than I have got at home. We haven’t played 30 Test matches away from home. I don’t know how many we have played but it is not a big number. I have got a few 50-plus scores but, with me if I get a fifty it is like I missed out on a hundred and if I get 120 it is like I missed out on a double hundred. I just have to focus on what I can do for the team and try to bat to the best of my abilities and help the team as much as possible.”
However, Virat Kohli further said that 15-20 years down the line the numbers won’t have any value and what would matter is the kind of impact he left on the field as well. Notably, with this hundred in Trinidad, Kohli became the first batter in history to smash a three-figure score in his 500th international match.
“These stats and milestones, if I do them in a situation where the team needs me, for me that’s more special than just ticking the numbers. Honestly, it is going to mean nothing in 15-20 years. It is what impact you left on the field which is more special for me and for the team,” he further added.
Virat Kohli, who was unbeaten on 87 not out, brought up a tough century with a square drive off Shannon Gabriel for four on Day 2.
“I was pretty happy with the way I went about things, took my time. They were bowling pretty decent areas when I walked. I had to be patient as the ball was getting soft, the surface was slow and the outfield was slow as well. Run scoring wasn’t as fluent as one would like it to be. I had to do the hard yards and because of all these factors it was very satisfying,” Virat Kohli concluded.
