Indian superstar Virat Kohli is all set to register his name in the elite list as he is soon to become the 12th Indian player to play 100 Test matches when he walks out with the team to face Sri Lanka in the upcoming first Test at PCA Stadium in Mohali, starting March 04.
Kohli made his Test debut in 2011, and since then, he never looked back. The Delhi-born captained India between 2014 and 2021 and has amassed close to 8000 runs in 99 Test matches at a phenomenal average of 50.39, with the help of 27 hundreds and 28 half-centuries.
As the former India skipper is set to enter the special club, legendary cricketer and Kohli’s idol Sachin Tendulkar shared a heart-warming message for the 33-year-old. Tendulkar recalled the time he first heard of Kohli when the latter was leading India U19 in Malaysia. The Mumbaikar revealed that few players in the national side, which was on the tour of Australia then, were talking about Kohli.
“I remember the first time I heard about you was when we were in Australia in 2007 (2008). You guys were playing the U19 World Cup in Malaysia. That is when there were certain players in the team who were discussing about you. ‘This is one player to watch out for. Achhi batting kar raha hai (He is batting well)’,” said Tendulkar in a video posted by BCCI.
Tendulkar reckoned that he didn’t play enough with Kohli but was impressed with Kohli’s ability to learn things quickly. Master Blaster felt the real strength of Kohli is to inspire the next generation, and it has been his biggest contribution to Indian cricket.
“After that, we played cricket together for India. Not for long, but whatever time we spent together, it was evident that you were good at learning things. You wanted to keep working on your game and continue getting better. You have been a terrific role model as far as fitness is concerned, obviously.
“But your real strength is that you have been able to motivate the next generation. That is your immense contribution to Indian cricket. It has been fantastic to watch you over the years. Congratulations on your 100th Test appearance for India, what a terrific achievement. I wish you many more happy cricketing years. Go out and do well,” added Tendulkar.
Here is the video:
The Master Blaster @sachin_rt congratulates @imVkohli on his milestone.
Listen in to that special anecdote from 2011.#VK100 pic.twitter.com/nDPsLDq3Fr
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 3, 2022
