Virat
Kohli on Friday reached a career milestone as he played his 100th Test match.
He is the 12th Indian and 71st international cricketer to achieve the feat.
Ahead of the start of the first Test against Sri Lanka at IS Bindra PCA Stadium
in Mohali, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) felicitated Kohli on reaching a
landmark 100th appearance in Test cricket. Head coach Rahul Dravid presented
him with the commemorative cap and a memento. After India won the toss and
decided to bat first, Kohli walked in to bat when his turn came on the first
day of the match. He was greeted with a huge round of applause by the 5,000
crowds at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali.

Also Read: Ind vs SL, 1st Test: Twitter user predicts Kohli’s dismissal before match

Kohli’s
entry into the ground went viral on social media. The former India skipper
walked in to bat when opener Mayank Agarwal was dismissed for 33 by Sri Lanka
left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya.

By
playing his 100th Test Kohli joined the elite list of cricketers like Sunil
Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, Anil Kumble, Rahul
Dravid, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh and Ishant
Sharma.

Also Read: IND vs SL, 1st Test, Day 1: Rishabh Pant shines in Virat Kohli’s 100th Test

Kohli
scored 45 in the first innings of his 100th Test. Earlier, Kohli spoke to the
BCCI about his journey in Test cricket so far.

The
former India skipper stressed the fact that he never thought he would play 100
Tests for India.

Also Read: Virat Kohli’s 100th Test match: 5 Test records held by Kohli

“I
honestly never thought that I will play 100 Test matches. It has been a long
journey, played a lot of cricket over the course of these 100 Test matches. So,
just grateful that I have been able to make it to 100. As I said, knowing the
amount of cricket that is played in today’s day and age. God has been kind, I
have worked really hard on my fitness,” Kohli had said on the eve of the
first Test.

Also Read: ‘I honestly never thought I will play 100 Test matches’: Virat Kohli

“It’s
a big moment for me, my family and my coach, who is also very happy and proud
about this Test match as far as I am concerned. It’s a very very special moment
for me,” he added.