Indian cricket star Virat Kohli expressed his satisfaction after scoring his 29th Test hundred during the ongoing second match against West Indies. The 34-year-old batter equaled Sir Don Bradman’s record of 29 Test centuries with a polished 121 off 206 balls in India’s commendable first innings score of 438. This century also marked the end of his five-year-long drought for an international Test century outside India, with his last ton dating back to 2018. Kohli mentioned feeling charged up when faced with adverse situations and emphasized the hard work he put in to achieve this milestone.
I really enjoyed myself out there. I was in the rhythm, I wanted to be in. Started in challenging times. I switch on during these times. When I have something to overcome, I get charged up, Kohli said after the end of day 2. I had to be patient as the outfield was slow. It was very satisfying as I had to do the hard yards.
Kohli’s century came in the company of Ravindra Jadeja after India was reduced to 182 for four. The duo stitched a crucial 159-run partnership to rescue the team on day 2 of the match. With this century, Kohli also surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 74 international hundreds in the first 500 matches, making it his 76th hundred in 500 international appearances. Reflecting on his performance, Kohli expressed gratitude for representing India in 500 games and discussed his focus on contributing to the team’s success rather than individual milestones.
Firstly, very grateful I got to play 500 games for India. I have got 15 centuries away from home, I have got more hundreds away than at home. I have got a few fifty-plus scores, Kohli said.
I just have to focus on what I have to do for the team. I try to help the team. These stats and milestones mean something to me when the team needs me. West Indies and India go a long way. It is a special occasion for me. Couldn’t have asked for a better beginning to the Test, he added.
Known for his fitness and dedication to training, Kohli credited his physical condition for his ability to convert ones into twos and maintain a cool head under pressure. Taking care of his diet, sleep cycle, rest, and fitness allowed him to perform at his best and field with intensity in all formats. Kohli emphasized that staying fit helps him contribute effectively to the team’s cause and perform consistently across all formats of the game.
I looked after myself. Training, sleep cycle, rest and diet. Converting 1 into 2s is an easy run for me. It helps me to stay off the pressure. Fitness helps me in all formats. I can field with intensity in all formats. I want to keep playing at the top of my fitness ability, he said.
Kohli relished the atmosphere at the ground in the Caribbean Islands, especially in Antigua and the current venue. He expressed his love for these two venues and Adelaide in Australia and The Bullring in South Africa due to the unique atmosphere and passionate cricket fans. With West Indies beginning their second innings at 86 for one, Kohli acknowledged the slow pitch and emphasized the importance of maintaining tight bowling to create opportunities for wickets.
There is a sense of history to this ground. you can sense it when you walk in. The crowd loves their cricket here. I always enjoyed the atmosphere. Antigua and here are my two favourite venues in the Caribbean. Adelaide in Australia and The Bullring in South Africa are my favourites as well, purely because of the atmosphere, he said.
