Indian skipper Virat Kohli. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav /IANS)
Indian skipper Virat Kohli. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav /IANS)

Former India captain Virat Kohli said that he never thought about playing 100 Test matches as he prepares for the momentous occasion when India takes on Sri Lanka in the first match of the two-Test series at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Chandigarh on March 4.

Kohli had made his India Test debut in 2011 against West Indies in Kingston and since then has played 99 Tests scoring nearly 8,000 runs with 27 centuries and 28 half-centuries with the best score of 254*.

Ahead of the highly-anticipated contest, BCCI shared a video on social media in which Kohli spoke of his journey.

The right-handed batter mentioned that he never imagined that he would play 100 Test matches for India.

Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli. Photo Credit: (BCCI)

He said: “I honestly never thought that I’ll play 100 Test matches. It’s been a long journey, played a lot of cricket over the course of playing these 100 Test matches and a lot of international cricket. I’m just grateful that I’ve been able to make it to 100.

“God has been kind. I have worked really hard on my fitness and it’s a big moment for me and my family. My coach too, who is also very happy and proud of this Test match. It’s a very very special moment.”

Kohli will become the 71st player overall and the 12th Indian to play 100 Test matches. The 33-year-old has contributed significantly towards the success of the team in the format, both as captain and as a player.

Read More  Watch: Virat Kohli hilariously claps after Sunil Narine drops a dolly to give Glenn Maxwell reprieve

I Just Felt Like Test Cricket Needed To Stay Alive – Virat Kohli

Virat is also one of the biggest backers of Test cricket and has often promoted the longest format of the game vocally. Many fans and experts alike have termed the player’s endorsement of Test cricket as massive.

Kohli revealed that he has always wanted to score big runs and bat for long periods of time, ever since junior cricket. And that Test format is the true test of the character of a cricketer and underlined that he has relished the challenges of playing the format.

Virat Kohli. Photo- BCCI
Virat Kohli. Photo- BCCI

He mentioned: “I personally never grew up thinking that I have to score small runs. The idea was to score huge runs. I scored a log of big double hundreds in junior cricket, I think somewhat about 7 to 8 before I made it to the first-class level.

“So my idea was basically to bat long, as long as I could.I used to really enjoy batting for long periods of time and really bat sessions and try to win a game of cricket for my team, try to get 2 points, or 1st innings lead.”

“These things were things that really took a lot out of you and revealed your true character and tested your true character and something that I thoroughly enjoyed.

“I just felt like Test cricket needed to stay alive because people need to experience this. This is for me is real cricket.”

The first Test begins on March 4.

Read More  "Don't know what's going to happen" - Virat Kohli vs Gautam Gambhir clash worries ex-India pacer

Also Read: IND vs SL: Virat Kohli’s Will To Succeed Is Unbelievable – Harbhajan Singh