Legendary Indian racquet Sunil Gavaskar said he would like Virat Kohli to celebrate his 100th Test at 100 in Mohali. Kohli is poised to play his 100th game in the longest format of the game when India take on Sri Lanka in the first of a 2-Test series at the PCA Stadium in Mohali from March 4.
Gavaskar, who became the first man to play 100 Tests for India, said it was wonderful to see Kohli set a record in his landmark game and said it felt great to represent his country in 100 Tests after winning from it had dreamed of playing in white while growing up.
Kohli is ranked after Sachin Tendulkar (200), Rahul Dravid (163), VVS Laxman (134), Anil Kumble (132), Kapil Dev (131), Sunil Gavaskar (125), Dilip Vengsarkar (116), Sourav Ganguly (113) , Ishant Sharma (105), Harbhajan Singh (103) and Virender Sehwag (103).
However, no Indian has managed to score 100 points in their 100th test. Only 9 men have hit 100 in their landmark 100th Test.
Recalling he got out for 48 in his 109th Test, Gavaskar said: “I hope he celebrates his 100th Test with a 100. Not many batsmen have done that. I know Colin Cowdrey, who was probably the first to play 100 Test games, scored 100 points in his 100th Test. I know Javed Miandad made it. Alex Stewart did it.”
“A lot of batsmen have played 100 Tests but didn’t get a hundred in that Test match. I cut a half volley on a square leg when hitting on 48. Can you believe it at 48? Easy catch that was,” he told Starsport.
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Virat Kohli has not scored an international hundreds since November 2019, when he topped three figures in a day-night friendly against Bangladesh at home. Kohli’s form in Tests has taken a dip as he averages less than 45 since 2020. He’s only managed 760 runs in 14 Tests, including just 4 fifties.
However, the former captain will enter his 100th Test after a period of rest. Kohli didn’t play the last T20I against West Indies and the entire T20I series against Sri Lanka.
Gavaskar shed light on the feeling of playing 100 Tests for India, adding: “Well all I can say is it’s going to be a sense of accomplishment. When you start playing cricket as a school kid you want to play for India and I hope you play for India for a period of time and suddenly you know success comes to you and then you go on year by year and then the 100th test comes to you.”
“It’s a very special feeling. And look at what he’s achieved in all formats of the game, not just Test cricket where he was fabulous.”
