Batsman great Sunil Gavaskar took a walk down the memory lane to remember the Test debut of former India captain Virat Kohli, who is set to play his 100th Test match against Sri Lanka in Mohali on Friday. Kohli made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies at Kingston, the India batsman struggling to score runs in his first match and was dismissed for just 4 and 15. He faced a tough challenge against Fidel Edwards, who was the fastest bowler at that time. ,
Gavaskar recalled Kohli’s Test debut and recalled that Edwards first saw him after throwing a bouncer and, in return, he kissed him through the helmet. The legendary cricketer feels that this incident showed Kohli’s confidence and courage even at that young age.
“It has been a wonderful journey. Even in his first series, he was not afraid to take on the opposition. I don’t know how many of you will remember when he made his Test debut in 2011 Fidel Edwards was tossing him and he was ducking him. Then Edwards looked at Virat and Kohli in turn was kissing him with the grille of the helmet. For a newcomer with one of the fastest bowlers in the world Behaving like this – Fidel Edwards was sharp. He was over 145 – which told you about the young man’s belief in himself and the courage he showed. Since then, it has only been an uptick in regards to his career. There has been a curve towards it,” Gavaskar said while talking to Sports Today.
Gavaskar heaped praise on Kohli’s consistency as the batting legend feels that even though he may not have scored a century in recent times, the 33-year-old is scoring 70, 80 runs at regular intervals.
“I think his overall consistency has been remarkable. He just got one blip in 2014, but other than that he didn’t have any bad series which is remarkable. Because he doesn’t have an ordinary series. He has an excellent, very good series. Or have had a good series. Although they haven’t had hundreds late, they have their 70s and 80s.”
The 72-year-old further backed the BCCI’s plan to allow 50 per cent spectators for Kohli’s historic Test match.
“I think the situation has changed. It was a question of general interest of the majority. We have seen that hardly anyone is wearing a mask despite allowing the crowd. So we are not paying attention. And that was the concern then.” When news came that there are some cases in Mohali. So maybe the crowd was not allowed. But now it seems that the situation has improved and 50 percent more people are coming. This is great news because any artiste performing in front of the crowd. where it will be appreciated.
Kohli has so far scored 7962 runs in 99 Tests which includes 27 centuries and 28 half-centuries. In his 100th Test, Kohli will look to break into the 8,000-run club and try to break the century that has held him back over the years.
Get all the latest updates cricket news, cricket pictures, cricket videos, IPL Auction 2022 And cricket score Here