Indian head coach Rahul Dravid hailed Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli, who is set to play his 500th International game for India against West Indies in the 2nd Test on Thursday. The 34-year-old will play his 500th game for India having made his debut way back in 2008.
Virat Kohli has been a massive contributor to Indian cricket over the last decade or so. He has been spearheading the batting attack of India in all three formats of the game. The India batter has dominated the likes of heavyweights South Africa, England, and Australia in their backyards.
Speaking ahead of the historic game against West Indies, Rahul Dravid praised Virat Kohli for being an inspiration to many players in the team and a lot of youngsters in the country to take up the game in India and lauded him for his brilliant number across all three formats of the game.
“I think it is fantastic and he (Kohli) is an inspiration to so many players within this team and so many boys and girls back home in India, His numbers and his stats speak for themselves and his performances are all there in the (record) books,” Rahul Dravid said.
“For me what has been great to see first-hand is the effort and the willing and the work he puts in behind the scenes when no one is watching and that is reflected in the fact that he has been able to play 500 games,” Rahul Dravid added.
Virat Kohli broke the record of legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record by becoming the fastest batter to complete 25,000 runs in international cricket. The former Indian skipper is also on the verge of equaling Sachin Tendulkar’s 49 centuries record in ODI Cricket, Virat Kohli has 46 centuries in 265 innings with a stupendous batting average of 57.32.
Virat Kohli Has Made A Lot Of Sacrifices He Has Made Throughout His Career – Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid feels that the Indian batting maestro Kohli is still very fit to get going against high-quality opponents, as he got tremendous energy to perform for the team and reckons that he put in a lot of hard work and sacrifices to perform for the team over the years.
“He is still going very strong, is very fit, and the energy and enthusiasm he brings to the game despite playing 500 games and being around here for 12 or 13 years now.
“It is truly fantastic and it has not come easy. It has come because of a lot of hard work behind the scenes and a lot of sacrifices he has made throughout his career and is willing to continue to make,” Rahul Dravid further added.
Virat Kohli will be hoping to end his overseas test century drought in the 2nd test against West Indies as it has been close to five years for him to score a century away from home soil. The 34-year-old last century came against Australia in 2018 and this is will best chance for the Indian batter to end his century drought on overseas soil.