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In a mesmerizing display of skill and determination, Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli crafted a breathtaking century on Day 2 of the second Test against the West Indies at the historic Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad. Kohli’s scintillating innings proved to be a pivotal turning point for India after a rocky start in their first innings.
On Day 1, India found themselves at 130/2 when Kohli took to the crease. Despite a slow beginning, the 34-year-old talisman soon settled into his rhythm, showcasing his trademark class and precision. Alongside the ever-reliable Ravindra Jadeja, Kohli orchestrated a remarkable century-plus partnership, guiding India to recover from a challenging position of 182/4.
The moment of brilliance arrived when Kohli elegantly executed a cover drive against West Indies’ pace bowler Shannon Gabriel, propelling the ball to the boundary and notching up his 76th international century. This triple-figure score held special significance as it marked Kohli’s first overseas Test hundred since 2018.
Furthermore, the remarkable feat saw Kohli surpass the legendary South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis to secure the fifth position for the highest number of runs in international cricket. This achievement adds yet another laurel to the decorated career of one of the modern era’s most prominent cricket icons.
What stole the limelight was Kohli’s astonishing record of most centuries after playing 500 international matches. With an unparalleled tally of 76 centuries, he surpassed batting legends such as Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting, etching his name as the batter with the most hundreds in his 500th international match.
Most hundreds after 500 international matches:
- Virat Kohli: 76
- Sachin Tendulkar: 75
- Ricky Ponting: 68
- Jacques Kallis: 60
- Kumar Sangakkara: 47
- Rahul Dravid: 47
Kohli ended up scoring 121 off 206 as India posted 438 in their first innings. Jadeja, who played a supporting role, made 61 runs. All-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin also chipped in with a crucial 56 to help India reach a formidable total.
