Virat Kohli He thanked his family, teammates, coaches and the BCCI after playing his 100th Test for India, which he defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 222 runs in three days on Sunday.
“Thank you to all my family, teammates, coaches and BCCI. You have made this journey beautiful. On and on,” Kohli’s message read.
“It’s been a long journey to get here. Full of ups and downs and learnings. It wouldn’t have been any other way. Thank you for all your support,” Kohli captioned his message on social media.
Came a long way to reach here. Full of ups and downs and lessons. It wouldn’t have happened any other way. Thanks for all your support pic.twitter.com/Q5Vdtz8s1K— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) 6 March 2022
he had received a prestigious guard of Honour By his teammates when India came out to bowl in the final session of the day’s play.
Earlier on Friday, Kohli had said that a lot of discipline and lifestyle changes are needed to keep oneself fit to play 100 Test matches. The 33-year-old Kohli has scored 27 centuries and over 8,000 runs in the longest format of the game and was dismissed for 45 at the hands of Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya in India’s first innings.
“It has been tough from the point of view that I have played three formats of the game in a row and IPL (Indian Premier League) every year for the last 10-11 years,” Kohli told reporters, “And that is obviously a big challenge in itself.
“I am very proud of how I have handled myself, handled my physique, carried my fitness level so far. And obviously a lot of discipline, a lot of lifestyle changes.
“As a person, you understand exactly what it takes to get to this point, and especially playing 100 Test matches is something that is kind of a test for me personally.”
Kohli has also played 260 ODIs, scoring 43 centuries, and 97 Twenty20 Internationals as well as the domestic IPL each season in two months.
His last century in Tests came in the Day-Night Test against Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens in 2019.
“I am preparing the way I have always prepared and as long as I am batting well and playing well, I don’t care at all,” Kohli said. Start your innings.
“As long as your focus is on the right things, I’m not too bothered about milestones. I’m batting well and that’s the most important thing for me.”
Kohli was greeted by the home board before the start of the game and current India coach Rahul Dravid presented him with a commemorative cap and a memento in the presence of his Bollywood actress wife Anushka Sharma.
The Test against Sri Lanka was also Kohli’s first Test after relinquishing captaincy and he was feeling nervous to bat.
“I had butterflies in my stomach. It was a special moment,” he said.
“I didn’t realize the magnitude of the occasion until things came to a close today and how the presentation went and there were still people in the stadium today. It was a moment that is very special.”
(with inputs from agencies)
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