In his momentous 500th international game, Virat Kohli finds himself on the verge of achieving a unique feat in cricket history. The former Indian captain, playing the 2nd Test against West Indies at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad, stands just 13 runs away from becoming the first cricketer ever to score a century in his 500th international match. His unbeaten knock of 87 on Day 1 has already revived India’s innings, reaching 288 for four.
As Kohli approaches this milestone, he receives high praise from West Indies legend Courtney Walsh, who draws comparisons to cricket greats like Sachin Tendulkar and Javed Miandad. According to Walsh, Kohli belongs among the top five greatest cricketers of all time, with Sachin Tendulkar leading the pack.
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While he acknowledges the brilliance of players like Brian Lara and Viv Richards from a West Indian perspective, Walsh admires Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh from his era. He also recalls facing the likes of Graham Gooch from England and Javed Miandad, both of whom showed a similar determination to Kohli in valuing their wickets.
Speaking about Kohli’s passion for the game, Walsh reflects on a conversation he had with the Indian skipper during his time as a selector for West Indies. He said, “He has got the passion for the game, he wants to leave a mark in the game. I remember having a conversation with him when I was the selector for West Indies, and he was the captain. We were having a chat.”
He further added, “You could tell that he wants to be the best. He was willing to seek out advice from anyone that will help to do so. I am not surprised by the achievement. The passion he has and the drive he has to be the top 3, top 5 in everything he does.”
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As Virat Kohli inches closer to the elusive century in his 500th international match, the cricketing world awaits with bated breath, acknowledging the genius of a player who has carved his name in the pantheon of cricketing legends. With his talent, passion, and dedication, Kohli continues to inspire generations of cricketers, both in India and around the globe.
