IND vs WI: "Virat Kohli Is An Inspiration To So Many Players"- Rahul Dravid Ahead Of Former Skipper's 500th International Game

Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli is all set to play his 500th international game when India takes on West Indies in the second Test in Trinidad. India won the first Test by an innings and 141 runs with Kohli scoring a significant 76.

Virat Kohli is the only Indian cricketer with 100 matches across formats in the Indian team. He made his international debut in 2008 and it has been 15 years since he started his international career. His journey was full of ups and downs as he became a modern legend. Kohli is India’s most important batsman across formats in the current team.

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Rahul Dravid, the head coach spoke to ICC ahead of Kohli’s significant milestone saying that the former Indian skipper will not slow down any sooner. He further praised the fitness routine that sets him among other cricketers.

“I think it is fantastic and he (Kohli) is an inspiration to so many players within this team and to so many boys and girls back home in India,” Dravid said ahead of the second Test against the West Indies.

“His numbers and his stats speak for themselves and his performances are all there in the (record) books. For me what has been great to see first-hand is the effort and the willing and the work he puts in behind the scenes when no one is watching and that is reflected in the fact that he has been able to play 500 games. He is still going very strong, is very fit and the energy and enthusiasm he brings to the game in spite of playing 500 games and being around here for 12 or 13 years now” he further added.

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Dravid who is just one of the three Indian cricketers with over 500 international games, said that Kohli’s sacrifices are a big reason why he is where he is in his international career.

Virat Kohli Has Made A Lot Of Sacrifices

“It is truly fantastic and it has not come easy. It has come because of a lot of hard work behind the scenes and a lot of sacrifices he has made throughout his career and is willing to continue to make. That is something that is great for a coach as you can see a lot of the young players look at that and be inspired by that and you don’t need to say anything” Dravid noted.

Kohli with 75 international tons is second in the list of most international centuries after Sachin Tendulkar’s 100 international hundreds.

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