Virat Kohli put on a show with the bat in the first innings of the second Test between India and West Indies at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain.

In what was his 500th international appearance, Kohli slammed 121 to help the visitors rack up a mammoth 438/10 in the first essay.

With this knock, Virat ended a five-year wait for an overseas Test century and also equalled the legendary Sir Donald Bradman’s tally of 29 tons in the longest format of the game.

“I really enjoyed myself out there. I was in rhythm in which I wanted to be. I always looked at pressure as an opportunity to stand up for my team. I switch on myself in the contest and it gets the best out of me,” Kohli told the broadcasters after the close of play on Day 2.

“I took my time, they were bowling in good areas when I walked in so I had to take my time. The outfield wasn’t quick and fluent as it should have been,” he added.

Resuming his innings at 87* on the second day, Virat reached the three-figure mark with a boundary off Shannon Gabriel in the 71st over. It was his 76th century across three formats.

On hitting an away hundred after five years, Kohli said: “These are things for others to talk. I have got 15 hundreds away from home, that’s not a bad record. I have got more hundreds away than at home. The key is to do well to the best of my ability. We haven’t played 30 matches away from home and I have got a few fifty-plus scores.”

“I want to contribute as much as possible. If I get 50 the feeling is I missed out on a 100, if I get 120 the feeling is I missed out on a double hundred. These stats and milestones mean nothing in 15 years’ time, what they will remember is if I left an impact or not.

“I am grateful to play 500 games for India. I never imagined. It’s all hard work. It’s the commitment you give to the sport you are playing which gives you the result,” he further remarked.

Virat Kohli was looking set for a daddy hundred in Port of Spain before he got run out while rushing for a quick single. As a result, his 159-run stand with Ravindra Jadeja also came to an end.

“For me converting 1 into 2 is easy runs and I am never going to leave that opportunity. I’m not someone who will wait for a period where I score a bunch of boundaries off 10 balls. If I am scoring six boundaries, I am already batting on 90 which keeps me off pressure. My fitness helps me switch between formats easily. I feel I can bat 300 balls, bat at a good strike rate and keep my intensity high. I am committed to play the game at my best fitness abilities,” he said.

Kohli also expressed his fondness for Port of Spain, hailing it as a historical venue and one of his favourites.

“West Indies and India go a long way. It is a special occasion for me. Couldn’t have asked for a better beginning to the Test.

“There is a sense of history to this ground. The crowd loves their cricket here. Antigua and here are my two favourite venues in the Caribbean. Adelaide in Australia and The Bullring in South Africa are my favourites as well,” he said.

At stumps, the hosts were at 86/1, trailing India by 352 runs with skipper Kraigg Brathwaite (37*) and Kirk McKenzie (14*) unbeaten in the middle.

“The wicket is slow. We have to be patient. Wickets in bunches won’t come. If we can stay in the game and put the scoring rate down, hopefully we can get a few wickets,” Kohli stated.

(The Indian Express Inputs)