Virat Kohli, the former India captain,
scored his 8,000th run in his 100th Test match Friday. With this, Kohli became
the sixth Indian to score 8,000 runs in Test cricket. To get to 8,000 runs, he
needed just 38 when he walked into the crease. 

The
elite list of Indian cricketers with over 8,000 runs includes VVS Laxman,
Virender Sehwag, Sunil Gavaskar, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli is
the 12th Indian to play 100 Test matches. 

India
reached 109 for two at lunch on the first day of the opening Test against Sri
Lanka here on Friday. Hanuma Vihari and Virat Kohli, who is playing his
landmark 100th Test, were at the crease on 30 and 15, respectively when lunch
was taken.

Lahiru
Kumara and Lasith Embuldeniya picked one wicket each for Sri Lanka.

Brief
scores: India: 109 for 2 in 26 overs (Mayank Agarwal 33, Rohit Sharma 29,
Hanuma Vihari 30 not out; Lasith Embuldeniya 1/19).

Ahead of the match, on Thursday, Kohli
said he wants the “next generation” to take inspiration from the fact he could
achieve the milestone despite playing in all three formats through a gruelling
international schedule.   

“In present day
cricket, with the amount of cricket we play with three formats and the IPL, the
only takeaway if the next generation can take from my Test career is that I was
able to strive through and play the purest format of the game and get to 100
Test matches,” Kohli said after being felicitated by head coach Rahul
Dravid before the match this morning.

“It is a
special moment for me. My wife is here and so is my brother. All my family
members and coach from childhood, all are proud. It is indeed a team game and
it couldn’t have been possible without you,” Kohli said. 

“Thanks to
BCCI as well for giving me this opportunity to represent the Indian cricket
team initially and from there on everything has gone from strength to strength.

“I couldn’t have
received it from a better person, one of my childhood heroes

“Thanks to
BCCI as well for giving me this opportunity to represent the Indian cricket
team initially and from there on everything has gone from strength to strength.

“I couldn’t have
received it from a better person, one of my childhood heroes,”  said Kohli.