Virat Kohli will become the 12th Indian cricketer to represent the country in 100 Tests when the side takes on Sri Lanka in Mohali on Friday. This will be the first of the two-Test series between India and Sri Lanka, with the second one to be played in Bengaluru under lights.
Apart from Virat Kohli, this match will also be a milestone one for Rohit Sharma, as he will captain India in a Test match for the first time.
Kohli is just shy of 8,000 runs in 99 Tests he has played with 27 centuries and 28 half-centuries to his name. He averages over 50 in not just Tests, but also in ODIs and T20Is. It is expected that he will play with a free mind as for the first time in seven years, Kohli will enter the field just as a player and not as India captain.
Earlier today, former India batter VVS Laxman, who had shared the dressing room with Kohli during the latter's initial days in international cricket, shared a message for the 33-year-old.
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“To represent India at the highest level is a matter of great pride for any cricketer, but to do that for 100 Tests is indeed an incredible achievement. Congratulations Virat, on a very very special achievement and I'm sure you will be mighty pleased and proud with the way you have played this great game,” Laxman said in a video posted by the BCCI.
"I still remember your Test debut in 2011 against West Indies. What really stood out for me was your zeal, your mindset to always learn and improve. For me, that is the reason you have achieved so much of success in all the three formats. We, as cricketers, know that Test match cricket is the ultimate format because it tests you in every possible way.
It is great to see that you have not only fulfilled your expectations but you have fulfilled the expectations of billions of Indians. The intensity, pride and passion with which you've played your game has been infectious. You have inspired not only the Indian cricketers but the cricketers over the world,” he added.
Laxman also heaped praise on Kohli's passion for Test cricket, saying, “As a leader, you have given importance to Test cricket. We know it is going to be a challenging time to safeguard and protect Test cricket because the younger generation of cricketers want to play T20 cricket. When leaders like you show importance to Test matches, it almost passes a message to the grassroots level that you have to dream of representing India in the longer version of the game.”
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Furthermore, Laxman said that no Indian has scored a century in their 100th Test match and he expects Virat Kohli to achieve that record.
“Make this 100th Test memorable. I have no doubt that you will go out and have fun, express yourselves, and you will probably get a hundred! Not many Indians have got a hundred in their 100th Test match and that's what I'm probably expecting from you. I've got no doubt that you will continue to get laurels for the country and inspire a lot of young Indians. You will continue to make us proud,” Laxman signed off.
(BCCI inputs)
