Virat Kohli 'grateful' for opportunity to play 100 Tests

Virat Kohli has said he is happy to have received the chance to play 100 Test matches, stating that the five-day game remains “real” cricket.

The star Indian batsman will become the 12th Indian player to feature in a century of red-ball matches when Rohit Sharma's team take on Sri Lanka in the first Test in Mohali on Friday.

After relinquishing captaincy in the longest format, and without the leadership of the white-ball teams, Kohli is now playing just as a batsman and the focus has shifted to his form with the bat; Kohli scored his last international ton in November 2019.

On the eve of the milestone match, Kohli said he was glad to join a select group.

“I am just grateful that I have made it to 100. God has been kind. It's a big moment for me, my family, and coach,” Kohli told the Indian cricket board's website.

“My first Test hundred is something I remember very fondly. Knowing that it came in Australia [in 2012] made it much more special. An overseas hundred for a young guy trying to establish himself in Test cricket was something that really boosted my confidence. My career just took off from there.”

The former captain has been ardent supporter of Test cricket and maintained it is the format that gave him the greatest joy.

“I personally never grew up thinking I have to score small runs, the idea was to score huge runs,” Kohli said before the match in Mohali against Sri Lanka, which will be the visitors' 300th Test.

India and Sri Lanka fans waves flags on the eve of first Test at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali. AFP

“My idea was to bat long. I used to enjoy batting for long periods of time, try to win games for my team, or try to get a first-innings lead, which is the format we used to follow.

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