WI v IND, 2nd Test: Virat Kohli becomes first batter to score century in his 500th international match

By India Today Sports Desk: Former India captain Virat Kohli scripted history on Friday, July 21 by becoming the first batter in the history of the sport to score a century in his 500th international match. Kohli got to his 29th Test century on Day 2 of the 2nd Test between India and the West Indies in Port of Spain.

It was also Virat Kohli’s 15th Test century in overseas conditions, his first away from home since December 2018 in Perth. Kohli got to the landmark in 180 balls as he played a crucial knock after India lost 4 wickets in a session on Day 1 of the 2nd Test in Port of Spain, which also marked the 100th Test match between the two teams.

WI vs IND, 2nd Test Day 2 Updates

Kohli got to his 76th international hundred in his 500th international appearance, going one past Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of 75 in his first 500 matches at the highest level.

Notably, no batter had even scored a fifty in his 500th international game before Kohli got to the 3-figure mark in his landmark Test. Kohli began the day unbeaten on 87 after having played a solid knock to steer India out of trouble on Thursday. Kohli got to his landmark with a drive in the first hour of the day’s play as he continued to look fluent.

With the solid century in Port of Spain, Kohli equalled Australian legend Don Bradman’s tally of 29 Test centuries.

MOST RUNS IN 500TH INTERNATIONAL MATCH

Virat Kohli – 100 in 2023* (Test)

Kumar Sangakkara – 48 in 2013 (ODI)

Ricky Ponting – 44 in 2010 (ODI)

MS Dhoni – 32* in 2018 (T20I)

His performance was reminiscent of Kohli’s match-winning knock in the first Test in Dominica. Despite challenging conditions, Kohli scored a patient 76, contributing significantly to India’s victory by an innings and 141 runs.

India began the 2nd Test on a strong note, thanks to a 139-run opening stand between skipper Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, the second session saw a sudden slump as India lost four wickets, nearly squandering their robust start. It was then that Kohli, along with Ravindra Jadeja, stepped up to steady the ship. Their unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 106 runs brought India back into the game, showcasing Kohli’s ability to perform under pressure.

Kohli’s consistency across all formats in 2023 has been remarkable. His last century came on May 21, 2023, against Gujarat at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, where he made 101 runs off 61 balls. This was his seventh century in the Indian T20 League and the second one in 2023. His fitness and dedication to the game have been key factors in his consistent performances.

However, it was not just in the domestic circuit that Kohli shone. He ended a three-year wait for his 28th Test century by scoring 186 in the fourth Test against Australia on March 12, 2023.