The first Test between India and Sri Lanka in Mohali will be a historic landmark for Virat Kohli. The 33-year-old will become the 13th Indian cricketer to get to this milestone. The Test, earlier expected to go ahead behind closed doors, will now be played in front of a 50% capacity crowd.
Kohli will also become the third player from Delhi to accomplish this. Ahead of this glorious moment, his former Delhi and Indian teammate Virender Sehwag wished him well ahead of his 100th match. Sehwag also shared stories of when he captained Virat Kohli during the Ranji days.
“When I started playing Tests, my only goal was to become the first player to play 100 Test matches coming from Delhi. After me, Ishant Sharma also did that, and now, Virat is also going to do this feat. I captained Virat in his early Ranji matches. I had seen him play. He took the Indian team to a whole new height in Test cricket.
“Mein toh kehta hoon. Haazme ki goli, tyohaar mein Holi aur batting mein Kohli, poore Bhaarat ko pasand hai (All I can say is that Hajme Ki Goli, Holi in festivals, and Kohli in batting are loved by the whole of India),” said Sehwag.
Sehwag also lauded Virat Kohli’s dedication to fitness and his professionalism. He also wished him more success in the future.
“Around his fitness and amazing hunger for runs, he has built a great career for himself and won so many matches for India. Many congratulations Virat on the landmark. May you have many more and all the best,” concluded Sehwag.
From one legendary Indian batter to another, Sunil Gavaskar has also joined to wish Virat Kohli all the best ahead of his 100th Test. Having played 125 Tests, Gavaskar knows a thing or two about how it feels and shared his mind regarding the same.
“Playing the 100th Test for your country is an incredible feeling. All of us, when we are young kids playing in the compound of your house or in the maidans anywhere where we begin our careers, we dream of playing for India. And then, after playing for India, when you come to your 100th Test, it’s an incredible feeling.
“It’s also a feeling of happiness, a feeling of satisfaction. Because what you want to do when you play for your country is to play for your country successfully, not just make one or two appearances. Reaching the 100th Test match obviously means you have played for the country very, very successfully,” Gavaskar said.
