Virat Kohli had a double delight in the first Test between India and Sri Lanka on Friday (February 4), as he completed 8000 runs in the longest format which also marked his 100th Test match. He became only the 6th Indian batter to achieve this milestone and the fifth fastest to do so.
The 32-year-old joined the likes of legendary Sachin Tendulkar (15921), Rahul Dravid (13288), Sunil Gavaskar (10122), VVS Laxman (8781) and Virender Sehwag (8586) after he went past the 8000-run mark. Overall, Kohli has become the 33rd batter to amass 8000 career runs in Test cricket.
However, after getting a decent start, Kohli was clean bowled at the score of 45 by Lasith Embuldeniya as for the ninth time the star batter has been dismissed by a spinner.
Earlier, right before the match started, the 'Man of Milestone' Kohli was felicitated with a specially made Test cap by his childhood hero Rahul Dravid with the entire team lined up to honour him for completing 100th match in the longest format. He couldn't have more surreal moment than this on his special occasion as his wife Anuska Sharma and brother Vikash Kohli also stood beside him as he added another feather in his cap. the 33-year-old became the 12th Indian to achieve this rare feat.
"It's well deserved, well earned, and hopefully it is just the start of many things to come. As we say in the dressing room, double it up," India's head coach Rahul said after honouring the Delhi-born batter.
Kohli with all humility thanked his childhood hero who he has always looked up to.
"Thanks, Rahul bhai, it's a special moment for me. It is a special moment for me. My wife is here and so is my brother. Everyone is very proud. It is indeed a team game and it couldn't have been possible without you. Thanks to the BCCI as well. I couldn't have received it from a better person, my childhood hero. I still have that picture with you from my U-15 days. In present day cricket, with the amount we play with three formats and an IPL, the one takeaway the next generation can take from me is that I played 100 games in the purest format," he added.
