‘Never thought I’d play 100 Tests, God’s been kind’ – Virat Kohli ahead of milestone Test

Virat Kohli (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Indian stalwart Virat Kohli is thankful that he has been able to reach the landmark of 100 Test matches as he said that he never imagined that he would be able to represent the team for that long. Come March 4, the right-handed batter will reach the milestone when India will take on Sri Lanka in the first of a two-match Test series to be played at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali.

The 33-year-old has further thanked almighty for being kind and emphasized that it was a special moment for him, his family and his coach. It is to be noted that Kohli will become the 12th Indian to achieve this special landmark including Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev, Sourav Ganguly, Dilip Vengsarkar, Ishant Sharma and Harbhajan Singh.

The right-handed batter has represented India in 99 Test matches so far in which he has scored a total of 7,962 runs with a staggering average of 50.30. The right-handed batter has 27 centuries and 28 fifties under his name as well in the longest format of the game.

I am just grateful that I’ve been able to make it to 100: Virat Kohli

In a video posted by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on their social media handles, Kohli said, “I honestly never thought I would play 100 Test matches. It has been a long journey. We played a lot of cricket over the course of playing those 100 Test matches. A lot of international cricket. I am just grateful that I’ve been able to make it to 100. God has been kind. I have worked really hard for my fitness. It’s a big moment for me, for my family, for my coach, who is also very happy and very proud of this Test match as long as I am concerned.”

“I never grew up thinking that I have to score small runs, the idea was to score big runs. I scored a lot of double hundreds in junior cricket. My idea was to bat long and I enjoyed doing that. These things took a lot out of you and it revealed your true character. Test cricket needed to stay alive, for me, this is real cricket,” he added.

'I never thought i'll play 100 Test matches. It has been a long journey. Grateful that i've been able to make it to 100' – @imVkohli on his landmark Test.

Full interview coming up on https://t.co/Z3MPyesSeZ. Stay tuned! #VK100 pic.twitter.com/SFehIolPwb

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 3, 2022