Virat Kohli marked his milestone 500th international game with his 29th Test ton. By reaching three figures on Day 2 of the second Test of two-Test series against West Indies, Kohli not only equalled Don Bradman’s tally of Test centuries but ended a nearly five-year drought of Test ton in overseas conditions.
Kohli scored 121 runs from 206 balls including 11 fours to help India post 438 in the first innings at Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain. After the day’s play, Kohli revealed how he planned his innings.
“I really enjoyed myself out there. I was in rhythm in which I wanted to be. I always looked at pressure as an opportunity to stand up for my team. I switch on myself in the contest and it gets the best out of me,” Virat Kohli told the broacasters after the days play.
“I took my time, they were bowling in good areas when I walked in so I had to take my time. The outfield wasn’t quick and fluent as it should have been.”
Kohli got to his century with a boundary early in the first session of Day 2. Talking about ending his overseas Test century drought he said, “These are things for others to talk. I have got 15 hundreds away from home, that’s not a bad record. I have got more hundreds away than at home. The key is to do well to the best of my ability. We haven’t played 30 matches away from home and I have got a few fifty-plus scores.”
“I want to contribute as much as possible. If I get 50 the feeling is I missed out on a 100, if I get 120 the feeling is I missed out on a double hundred. These stats and milestones mean nothing in 15 years’ time, what they will remember is if I left an impact or not.
“I am grateful to play 500 games for India. I never imagined. It’s all hard work. It’s the commitment you give to the sport you are playing which gives you the result,” he added.
Kohli had a chance to score his second double Test century on West Indies soil but he got run out trying to sneak a single. However, he was quick as usual between the wickets for most part of the innings.
“For me converting 1 into 2 is easy runs and I am never going to leave that opportunity. I’m not someone who will wait for a period where I score a bunch of boundaries off 10 balls. If I am scoring six boundaries, I am already batting on 90 which keeps me off pressure. My fitness helps me switch between formats easily. I feel I can bat 300 balls, bat at a good strike rate and keep my intensity high. I am committed to play the game at my best fitness abilities,” the 34-year-old said.
Kohli also expressed that he loves batting at the ground in Caribbean conditions. He talked about the history between the two nations as they are playing the 100th Test between them.
“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.
“There is a sense of history to this ground. The crowd loves their cricket here. 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,” he said.
After a forgettable display of batting in the first Test, West Indies openers started well on Day 2. They shared a 71-run opening partnership. Tagenarine Chanderpaul scored 33 runs before becoming Ravindra Jadeja's victim. At the end of Day 2's play, West Indies were 86/1. Kohli feels that Indian bowlers will have to be patient on Day 3 to get wickets.
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