India vs Pakistan: AB de Villiers congratulates Virat Kohli for unique record

As India gear up to face Pakistan in their Asia Cup 2022 campaign opener on Sunday, August 28, 2022, at the Dubai International Stadium, former captain Virat Kohli is also set to make his 100th T20I appearance. The 33-year-old will also become the first Indian cricketer to play 100 international matches in all three formats of the game when he takes the field on Sunday.

Ahead of the match, Kohli’s Indian Premier League (IPL) teammate AB de Villiers congratulated the Indian maverick on making it to his 100th T20I match with a video.

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“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate my very good friend Virat Kohli, on becoming the first Indian cricket player to play a 100 matches across all three formats,” he said in an Instagram video posted by Star Sports.

“What an amazing achievement Virat! We are all very proud of you and all the very best in your 100th T20 International game. We will be watching you,” the former South Africa international batter said.

Virat Kohli made his T20I debut for India against Zimbabwe in Harare on June 12, 2010. Since then, he has represented India in 99 T20I matches in 12 years, amassing 3308 runs at an average of 50.12. He has registered 30 half-centuries in T20I matches in his career, with the best score of an undefeated 94, that came against the West Indies on December 6, 2019.

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However, the Indian ace batter has been going through a lean patch that has seen him not scoring a century for more than 1000 days. He was recently dropped for India’s tours of the West Indies and Zimbabwe, following a below-par performance against England in July.

However, he has been selected for Team India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2022 and is likely to start against Pakistan on Sunday, August 28.