Team India is set to resume action after a month-long break, kicking off their all-format tour of the West Indies with a Test match at Windsor Park. The Indian team is eager to bounce back from their tough loss in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia and begin the new WTC cycle on a positive note in the Caribbean. On the other hand, the West Indies team will be determined to return to winning ways after a disappointing exit from the ODI World Cup qualifiers.
One area that India will be looking to address is the performance of their batting lineup, as they aim to rectify the errors from the WTC final. Captain Virat Kohli, who has fond memories of playing Test cricket in the Caribbean, recalls his debut Test match and his maiden Test double-century, both of which took place in the West Indies.
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Ahead of the series opener, Kohli took a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the special moments he shared with Sir Vivian Richards, one of cricket’s greatest icons. Kohli and Richards have developed a close bond and friendship over the years, being widely recognized as two of the finest batters in the history of the sport.
Virat Kohli said – “My best and favourite memory in West Indies is scoring my first Double Hundred in Test cricket infront of Sir Viv Richards and that was very special to me, then he congratulated me, it can’t get any better than that”. (On Star Sports) pic.twitter.com/kQGbCrkFEX
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) July 9, 2023
One particular memory that stands out for Kohli is his double century at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua during the 2016 tour. It was a significant achievement for Kohli, who was joined by R Ashwin, as they put up an impressive performance in a match where India batted only once. Kohli cherishes the memory not only for his personal milestone but also for the opportunity to meet Sir Vivian Richards and receive his congratulations.
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Speaking on Star Sports’ Follow the Blues show, Kohli expressed his delight, saying, “My favorite memory obviously is Antigua. I got my first-ever double hundred in Test cricket in Antigua in front of Sir Vivian Richards. That for me was a very, very special moment, and then he met me in the evening as well and congratulated me. It can’t get any better than that.”
Kohli’s Test journey began in the West Indies during the 2011 series at Sabina Park in Jamaica. As the team embarks on this tour, Kohli aims to make a significant impact, adding to his remarkable run-scoring record and providing India with a strong start in the new WTC cycle. As the series progresses, the focus will eventually shift to the ODI matches, as preparations for the upcoming World Cup intensify.
