Former Indian skipper, Virat Kohli is set to become the 12th Indian cricketer to play his 100 Test when he will be walking out with the team to face Sri Lanka in the first Test in Mohali on Friday. Kohli, who made his Test debut in 2011 and captained India between 2014 and 2021, has massed as many as 7962 runs in 99 Test matches at an average of 50.39, with the help fo 27 centuries and 28 half-centuries to his name.
Sachin Tendulkar, who is the only cricketer to have played 200 Tests, said that he had first heard of Kohli when the latter was leading Team India in the U19 World Cup in Malaysia in 2008.
ALSO READ: S Sreesanth Thanked The Pitch After Getting A Wicket After 9 Years
In a recent video shared by the BCCI, Sachin Tendulkar said, “I remember the first time I heard about you was when we were in Australia in 2007 (2008). You guys were playing the U19 World Cup in Malaysia. That is when there were certain players in the team who were discussing you. ‘This is one player to watch out for. He is batting well’.”After that we played cricket together for India. You wanted to keep working on your game and continue getting better. You have been a terrific role model as far as fitness is concerned obviously.”
𝗗𝗢 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦!
Welcome to the 1⃣0⃣0⃣-Test club Virat Kohli 👏 👏#TeamIndia greats share their thoughts on @imVkohli's landmark Test, his achievements & the impact he's had on Indian cricket. 🔝 👍
Watch the full feature 🎥 🔽https://t.co/m135xwB2zt pic.twitter.com/gzN71BZnCn
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 2, 2022
He further added, “But your real strength is that you have been able to motivate the next generation. That is your immense contribution to Indian cricket. It has been fantastic to watch you over the years. Congratulations on your 100th Test appearance for India, what a terrific achievement. I wish you many more happy cricketing years. Go out and do well.”
Recalling an anecdote from 2011 that motivated Kohli to take fitness seriously, Tendulkar said that Kohli has been a terrific role model for everyone for his fitness.
The Master Blaster @sachin_rt congratulates @imVkohli on his milestone.
Listen in to that special anecdote from 2011.#VK100 pic.twitter.com/nDPsLDq3Fr
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 3, 2022
Sachin Tendulkar concluded, “I remember that we were in Canberra in Australia in 2011. There was a Thai restaurant there that would have some nice meals. An evening after a heavy meal, you said ‘Pajji bahut hogya, ab fitness par dhyan dena hai’. I have to say that you have left no stone unturned and have been a terrific role model as far as fitness is concerned. Cricketing numbers are a different thing and are for the world to see, but that particular evening I remember that you said that and achieved your goal.”
Rahul Dravid, who is currently the head coach of Team India and had batted with Kohli in his debut Test match, said that the former India captain has many years of cricket left in him.
ALSO READ: Gujarat Titans To Replace Jason Roy With Suresh Raina In IPL 2022?
Talking about the same, Rahul Dravid said, “It is not easy to play 100 Test matches. Test cricket is not easy. To be able to play one is great, to be able to play 100 is a fantastic achievement. It is something Virat Kohli can be proud of. When he played his first Test match I was batting alongside him. It has been incredible to see how he has grown over the last 10 years or so. The way he has grown as a cricketer and a person.”
He further added, “He has carried this team for a long time, been the captain for the last five or six years of the last 10 years he has played in. He has always delivered, averages over 50 in 100 Test matches. It is a great achievement for one of India’s greatest players. Just looking at his fitness and where he is, he has a lot more to go and I am sure it is not something that he will be satisfied with.”
BCCI president and former India captain Sourav Ganguly himself played 113 Tests. Talking about Virat Kohli, Ganguly said, “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.”
ALSO READ: IPL 2022 Will Be Witnessing 25% Crowd At Venues Till April 15
He further added, “He has had a fantastic career and he is still got some time left to achieve the 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.”
Fast bowler Ishant Sharma also appeared in the video. Kohli was captain when Ishant played his 100th Test in Kolkata against Bangladesh in November 2019, which was also the first pink-ball Test to be played in India. Virender Sehwag also congratulated Kohli, as did his former teammate Harbhajan Singh and former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar.
