The first Test between India and Sri Lanka in Mohali is going to be Virat Kohli’s 100th Test match. He will become the 12th Indian cricketer to achieve the landmark after Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sourav Ganguly, Ishant Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, and Virender Sehwag.
Despite this being a momentous occasion, the Test match will be played behind closed doors. A PCA official confirmed the same to the BCCI via a statement. He said that decision has been taken in the wake of rising Covid cases in and around Mohali.
Virat Kohli’s 100th Test To Be Played Behind Closed Doors
“Yes, apart from the people, who are on duty for the Test match, we are not allowing any general spectators as per the directive of BCCI. “Still there are fresh COVID cases emerging in and around Mohali, so it’s better we take all safety protocols. Obviously the fans miss out because an international match at Mohali is happening after almost three years,” senior PCA treasurer RP Singla told PTI on Saturday.
Lucky young fans who got the autograph of Virat Kohli ❤️ pic.twitter.com/vYLVdPArVm
— iᴍ_Aʀʏᴀɴ18 (@crickohli18) February 28, 2022
Virat Kohli has started practising ahead of his 100th Test match. He has been regularly practising at the Mohali stadium ahead of the big game. Meanwhile, as per a report in The Tribune, Virat signed autographs for young fans who were waiting for him near the ground. After arriving to the nets for practice, Kohli told a security guard to bring their shirts saying,“Paji, ehna to shirts le lo.” After his practice session, the fans got their shirts back from the former Indian skipper with his autograph. The gesture from ‘The King’ has taken the internet by storm.
The Test series will be a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2021-23. Heading into the series, India are ranked third in the ICC rankings while Sri Lanka is seventh. The first Test in Mohali starts from March 4 after India whitewashed the Lankans in the three-match T20I series.
