IND v SL 2022: 'Chubby Guy' to 'Champion Player'- Harbhajan Singh lauds Virat Kohli ahead of his 100th Test

Kohli will become the 12th Indian player to play 100 Tests.

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh paid rich tributes to India batter Virat Kohli who will be playing his 100^th Test match for India when he takes the field in the first Test between India and Sri Lanka which will be played from March 4 in Mohali.

The two-Test series will be completed when the two sides clash in the second Test in Bengaluru, which will be the first day-night encounter between these two teams.

While Rohit Sharma will begin his journey as India’s new Test captain with the Mohali Test, Kohli will become the 12the Indian cricketer to play 100 Test matches for India.

Multiple former and current India cricketers have wished Virat Kohli for his amazing achievement, and Harbhajan Singh was the latest to join in congratulating the former India captain.

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“Over the years, he always had the talent but his will was stronger than the skill. He always had the skill but his will (to succeed) is unbelievable. He wants to be successful in whatever way, be it with bat or ball. When he is in the middle of the ground, there is no better competitor than him. He is always in the face of the opposition,” Harbhajan told News18 Cricketnext.

“Obviously, he is a champion player, a very hard-working guy, and very determined. Am so glad he could achieve this. We all knew that he will play 100 Test matches. But, to play that, you have to have fitness, you have to be performing at all times, be injury-free and make sure you are doing your best at all times. I am so glad he has done it. Wish him many more,” he added.

Harbhajan, a veteran of 103 Tests and 417 wickets, lauded Kohli’s stress on fitness that has changed the Indian team’s culture.

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He said, “The way he changed from what he was. He knew the road ahead and prepared himself for that. He was a chubby guy who would eat anything and everything. After a few years when I saw him, he was totally a different guy, knowing what he wants to eat, what he wants to do, what is good for him, the workouts, and credit to him for bringing that fitness change to the Indian team’s culture, which was lacking. Fitness was a different sort of fitness earlier.”

“Now, everyone is so fit. We had talent; our generation did well with bat and ball. Fielding was never the biggest part. But now, with him bringing in that fitness part, fielding is as big as bowling and batting. Credit goes to him for bringing that change,” Harbhajan added.