Virat Kohli’s brilliance shone once again as he marked his 500th international match in style. In the second Test against West Indies in Trinidad, Kohli scored his 30th half-century and remained unbeaten on 87 at the stumps. He also formed an unbeaten 106-run partnership with Ravindra Jadeja, who scored 36 by the end of the day’s play.
Not only did Kohli’s half-century mark his 500th appearance for India, but it also propelled him to the 5th-highest run-scorer in international cricket. When he reached 74 runs in the innings, he surpassed the South African legend Jacques Kallis to secure the fifth spot on the list of batters with the most international runs. Kohli’s tally now stands at an impressive 5,548 runs, with an average of 53.67.
Veteran Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik heaped praise on Kohli for his commendable temperament when the team needed him the most. Speaking on Cricbuzz, Karthik admired Kohli’s approach, as he played with the same hunger and determination as if it were his fifth game and not his 500th.
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“Mr. Virat Kohli, King Kohli, as we lovingly call him. The lovely shots he played; the cover drive, the pull. The pull was really good for me, with what happened in previous years. Here’s the man playing his 500th match, but he played it like probably it’s his fifth match. The hunger on a pitch that probably didn’t aid stroke-making, he fought through it,” Karthik said.
He further added, “We saw that in the first Test as well, and we are seeing it again now. If you have heard Rahul Dravid speak about him, the two things that he said – the respect and the sacrifices. And you can see that shining through in this innings yet again. Not at his fluent best, for sure, but he made it count, just making sure that he stood there and played those tough balls out.”
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Kohli’s innings showcased his mental fortitude as he grinded it out, weathering challenging situations, and forming a valuable partnership with Ravindra Jadeja. Their resilient effort helped India post 288/4 at stumps on the first day of the game, providing the team with a strong foundation to build upon. Kohli’s dedication and passion for the game continue to inspire cricket fans worldwide as he adds another memorable chapter to his illustrious career.
