Kohli: Next gen can takeaway that I've played 100 Tests in age of T20
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Virat Kohli, who is playing his 100th Test match on Friday, claimed that future generations would be proud of him for achieving the milestone in the 'purest format'. Kohli achieved this feat in the first Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka.
Expressing happiness over this achievement, Kohli said, "It is a special moment for me. My wife is here and so is my brother. Everyone is very proud. It is indeed a team game and it couldn't have been possible without you. Thanks to the BCCI as well. In present-day cricket, with the amount we play with three formats and an IPL, the one takeaway the next generation can take from me is that I played 100 games in the purest format."
The Indian batter was also praised by the head coach Rahul Dravid before the start of the play where Kohli's wife and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma was also present. "It's well deserved, well earned, and hopefully it is just the start of many things to come. As we say in the dressing room, double it up," said Dravid.
However, Kohli fell for 45 in his 100th Test as Sri Lankan bowlers rattled the hosts' top-order.
Delhi boy Kohli, the 12th Indian to play 100 Tests or more, played his first in 2011 and had big shoes to fill when he replaced living legend MS Dhoni in Australia in 2014.
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But he made an instant impact, driving India up the world Test rankings, transforming the side into one that could win anywhere and becoming a fan favourite.
On the way he amassed 47 million Twitter followers, a host of advertising contracts and married Bollywood star Anushka Sharma, creating India's foremost celebrity couple.
His on-field aggression and frequent run-ins with opposing players and umpires alike did nothing to harm his immense popularity
The end to his captaincy began last year after a disastrous T20 World Cup that saw India thrashed by arch-rivals Pakistan and fail to make the knockout stage.
He quit the T20 captaincy, was sacked as ODI skipper and after a public falling out with the head of the Indian cricket board and a series loss in South Africa resigned as Test leader in January.
