In a thrilling display of cricketing prowess, Virat Kohli, the esteemed captain of the Indian cricket team, celebrated his 500th international match with a dazzling century against West Indies in the second Test at Queen’s Park Oval. This historic moment witnessed Kohli amassing an impressive 129 not out off 210 balls, etching his 29th Test hundred, and achieving his first overseas century since 2018. What’s more, Kohli secured a unique accolade, becoming the first player to score a century in their 500th international game, while also matching the legendary Don Bradman’s record of six consecutive centuries in Test series.
Stepping onto the crease when India was positioned at 153 for 2 on the first day, Kohli showcased his unwavering patience and grace to anchor the innings masterfully. Collaborating with the talented Cheteshwar Pujara, who contributed a solid 58 runs, and forming an unbeaten partnership of 147 runs with the in-form Ravindra Jadeja (48 not out), Kohli led India to a formidable 414 for 4 by stumps on the second day. The celebration of this milestone moment was marked by a crisp boundary off Shannon Gabriel in the 97th over, followed by Kohli’s gratifying acknowledgment of the applause from his teammates and the cheering crowd.
With this century, Kohli has now registered an impressive total of 76 centuries in international cricket, firmly inching closer to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s revered record of 100. Additionally, Kohli’s name now stands tall at the 10th spot on the list of combined appearances in the three formats, where the illustrious Tendulkar reigns supreme with 664 appearances. Undoubtedly, Kohli is a cricketing luminary, hailed as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, and his consistent brilliance has been undeniable, especially in recent years. A testament to his exceptional form, Kohli has scored over 1000 runs in each of the last five calendar years in Test matches, and his captaincy has also led India to numerous historic victories.
Notably, Kohli’s scintillating century has positioned India firmly in command during the second Test, following their resounding victory by an innings and 92 runs in the first Test. The team is now poised to achieve a clean sweep of the two-match series, further solidifying their position at the summit of the World Test Championship table.
Such moments in cricketing history are a treat to behold, and as admirers of the sport, we revel in witnessing the magnificence of players like Kohli etch their names into the annals of greatness. As the excitement and anticipation build, we eagerly await the continuation of this gripping series, where the magic of cricket unfolds, and legends are born.