Indian former skipper Virat Kohli set to play his 100th Test match when the country take on Sri Lanka on Friday in Mohali. He would be the 12th Indian player to play 100 Test matches. Kohli, who made his Test debut in 2011 and led India from 2014 to 2021, has 7962 runs at an average of 50.39 in 99 Test matches, with 27 centuries and 28 half-centuries.
It would be a notable accomplishment for an all-format cricketer whose entire career has taken place within the T20 era. Kohli, unlike other Indian batsmen such as Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and even Rahul Dravid, took the scenic way to solidify his place in India’s Test XI. Kohli’s maiden game in the whites came nearly three years later in the Caribbean, when Tendulkar chose to forgo the trip. Even if a breakthrough in the red-ball team was elusive, Kohli had established himself as the team’s best batter in the 50-over format.
“I remember the first time I heard about you was when we were in Australia in 2007 (2008),” said Tendulkar in a video posted on the website of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“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)’.
“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.
𝗗𝗢 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦!
Welcome to the 1⃣0⃣0⃣-Test club Virat Kohli 👏 👏#TeamIndia greats share their thoughts on @imVkohli's landmark Test, his achievements & the impact he's had on Indian cricket. 🔝 👍
Watch the full feature 🎥 🔽https://t.co/m135xwB2zt pic.twitter.com/gzN71BZnCn
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 2, 2022
Kohli’s debut in the red-ball format did not go well, as he was dropped following a poor performance in his first series. Later in the year, on a disastrous tour to Australia, he came into his own, becoming the only visiting batsman to reach three figures. Kohli emerged as the side’s primary hope in the batting department during the transitional period for Indian cricket in the longest format.
With more than two-thirds of his Tests as captain, the captaincy aspect of his career merits special attention. He concluded as India’s most successful skipper in the format after ending his term earlier this year. Kohli has guided India to 11 Test victories in Southeast Asia and the West Indies, five more than any other Asian skipper in those regions. In 2018/19, he led India to their first series victory in Australia, followed by series victories in the West Indies and Sri Lanka, and a 2-1 lead in England with a Test to be played later this year.
The two red ball cricket disappointments during Kohli’s captaincy stint would be missing out on India’s first series win on South African soil and losing in the final of the World Twenty20 to New Zealand after dominating the first edition.
Kohli’s batting form surged through the roof after taking over as captain, unlike India’s earlier red-ball greats, whose batting returns dropped under the weight of captaincy.
Kohli will be looking for similar returns as Tendulkar, who gave up the captaincy at the age of 27 to focus on his batting, which paid off handsomely. Only time will tell whether he can reach new heights or fade away like so many other legends before him.
