100 Reasons to celebarte: Kohli is all set to become 12th Indian to achieve milestone of playing 100 Tests

Mohammed Rumman Khan | NT

Virat Kohli has scaled several peaks in his illustrious cricketing career and will find himself in elite company on Friday at the PCA Stadium in Mohali when he will become only the 12th Indian and 71st player overall to feature in 100 Test matches.

Having scored only 4 and 15 in his debut Test against the West Indies in 2011, Kohli has come a long way in a decade-long journey in which he has amassed 7,962 runs at a stellar average of 50.39 in the longest format.

On walking out on the morning of the 100th test, Virat said, “I hear that crowds have been allowed as well. It’s going to be a special, special morning. There will be some butterflies, I won’t lie. There have to be butterflies till the last game you play for India. They’ve remained for a long period of time and they remain to be.”

Kohli will join an elite list of Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh and Ishant Sharma to play 100 Tests.

Rohit’s first as Test captain
Rohit Sharma begins a new era as India’s Test captain on Friday when the twomatch series against Sri Lanka begins. It will be interesting to see how he handles a transition phase in Indian cricket, which has started with curtains on careers of Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and Ishant Sharma, will have a huge impact on how he is perceived -- just a mere captainor a leader of men. Rohit’s tactical acumen has always got him respect from all quarters and the first reflection of it in Test cricket would be how he handles his playing XI. It is expected that Shubman Gill will be coming in at number three in the place vacated by Pujara and will have to show “intent” which was believed to be missing earlier. Gill has the game to do that.

Rahane-Pujara not over yet
Skipper Rohit clarified that the road hasn’t ended for Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. “They will definitely be part of our plans. It’s just that, for now, we didn’t consider them, but there’s nothing written about them not being considered for any series hereafter,” he said.

Kusal still not fit, Dickwella returns
Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne has informed that Kusal Mendis still not fit and will miss the game while Niroshan Dickwella will return to the squad. Karunaratne will be leading the country in its 300th Test. “That’s a great feeling... captaining in the country’s 300th Test. I did not expect it. It is a great honour for me. I will try my best to give the best result for Sri Lanka,” he said. “Sri Lankan players have been training hard and everybody is in good shape. Hopefully, they will produce good form in the two Tests. Yeah, we have a few plans. some youngsters are playing... they are supposed to fill Rahane and Pujara’s place. We are trying to execute the plans,” he said.

God has been kind: Kohli
I honestly never thought that I’ll play 100 Test matches. It’s been a long journey. Played a lot of cricket over the course of playing these 100 Test matches and a lot of international cricket. I’m just grateful that I’ve been able to make it to 100.

God has been kind. I have worked really hard on my fi tness and it’s a big moment for me and my family. My coach is also very happy and proud of this Test match. It’s a very very special moment. It feels surreal. I never imagined I would play 100 Tests for India. There was a time where I remember I had told myself I will do anything possible to play for India. Nothing could de-motivate or distract me anymore. I was completely focused on getting to the top and playing for a long period. Things unfolded in a way that the journey kept going on. I have given my heart and soul to this format. It feels great to contribute to my environment and to the culture in bigger ways than just strategies and plans and trying to get batsmen out and trying to manoeuvre bowlers. If you have a bigger impact on your environment, it is a matter of pride and really something to feel blessed about because this opportunity comes rarely to people.