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Indian cricketing legends hurled tributes ahead of Virat Kohli's 100th Test which is a milestone in itself. Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar paid glowing tributes to star batter Virat on this rare feat, saying apart from his "terrific" on-field achievement, his real success has been the ability to inspire a whole generation of cricketers.
Kohli, a former skipper, is set to play his landmark 100th Test when India play Sri Lanka in the first game of the two-game series at Mohali beginning on Friday (February 4).
"What a terrific achievement. I remember first time I heard about you was when we were in Australia in 2007-08," Tendulkar told BCCI.tv, recalling when Kohli was first noticed in the Indian dressing room.
"You guys were playing U-19 WC in Malaysia and there were certain players in the team who were discussing about you, this is one player to watch out for, acchi batting kar leta hai. (he bats well).
"After that we played cricket together for India and not for long but whatever time we spent together, it was evident that you were keen on learning things. You kept working on your game and continued getting better."
Considered one of the greatest batter of all time, Kohli, 33, has scored 7962 runs including 27 hundreds and 28 fifties in 99 Tests at an average of 50.39. He is also a prolific white-ball batter, having scored 12,311 runs with 43 centuries in 260 ODIs and 3,296 runs in 97 T20s. "Its been fantastic to watch you over the years. Numbers will have their roles and but your real strength is being able to motivate the whole generation," said the 48-year-old Tendulkar, who himself has played 200 Tests for India.
"That's been your real strength and your immense contribution to Indian cricket. That is something which I would say is your real success. Wish you many more happy cricketing years, go out and do well." One of the fittest cricketer in the world, Kohli has inspired many with his fitness regime.
BCCI also shared a video on Twitter to pay tribute to Virat ahead of the special occasion.
“Welcome to the 100-Test club Virat Kohli 👏 👏#TeamIndia greats share their thoughts on @imVkohli’s landmark Test, his achievements & the impact he’s had on Indian cricket,” BCCI tweeted.
Meanwhile, legendary batsman and India's head coach Rahul Dravid said that playing 100 Tests is a huge achievement and Kohli should be proud of it.
“It is not easy to play 100 Test matches. Test cricket is not easy. To be able to play one is great, to be able to play 100 is a fantastic achievement. It is something Virat Kohli can be proud of,” said Dravid,
“When he played his first Test match I was batting alongside him. It has been incredible to see how he has grown over the last 10 years or so. The way he has grown as a cricketer and a person. He has carried this team for a long time, been the captain for the last five or six years of the last 10 years he has played in. He has always delivered, averages over 50 in 100 Test matches. It is a great achievement for one of India’s greatest players. Just looking at his fitness and where he is, he has a lot more to go and I am sure it is not something that he will be satisfied with.”
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly congratulated Kohli and said that he has had a fantastic career and has time left to achieve more in cricket.
“Virat’s had a great journey. Starting 10-11 years ago and getting to where he has reached today is an exceptional achievement. On behalf of BCCI and also a former captain and player who has played 100 Test matches and more, I wish him all the very best,” said Ganguly.
“He has had a fantastic career and he is still got some time left to achieve greater milestones and I hope he continues doing that. Congratulations to him, his family, his coach and all those who were involved in his cricketing career,” he added.
