Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan believes Virat Kohli can break Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of 100 hundreds in international cricket.
Hailed by cricket fanatics as the God of Cricket, Sachin notched his 100th international century versus Bangladesh during Asia Cup 2012. It was his 49th ton in ODIs, while he had 51 hundreds in Tests, with the final ton coming against South Africa in 2011.
The record of 100 hundreds seemed unachievable at that point in time. However, the rise of Virat Kohli at the international circuit has made him a top contender to get close and possibly surpass the majestic milestone.
So far, the 31-year-old has clocked 70 hundreds in international cricket and is third on the list of all-time century tallies, with the first and second spots being acquired by Sachin Tendulkar and former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting respectively.
Virat Kohli can break the record of 100 centuries: Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan, who announced his retirement from all formats of the game in January 2020, backs the Indian skipper to break the herculean record, considering Virat’s fitness levels at present.
“I am sure 100 hundreds, he might not be talking about it but you know if anyone could achieve that feat after Sachin Tendulkar, he is the one. He has achieved so much with so much little time and I hope if anyone breaks the record of 100 hundreds because I was part of Sachin’s journey when he scored that last hundred as well,” said the former Indian cricketer on Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected.
“But, I always wish if anyone breaks the record he has to be an Indian, and Virat has the ability and fitness, which is the most important thing to be able to achieve that feat. I think he is 30 short of that 100 hundreds, I think he will be able to achieve it before he retires and I hope so and that’s the target he will have in his mind,” added Irfan.
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In twelve years of international cricket, Virat has managed to post gigantic numbers in both Tests and ODIs.
In 86 Tests, the Delhi-born has aggregated 7240 runs, averaging 53.63, with 27 hundreds and 22 fifties. He holds 7 double-hundreds under his belt, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag’s tally of 6 double tons.
In ODs, he has accumulated 11867 runs and averages a whopping 59.34, with 43 Hundreds and 58 fifties. He has the most tons in successful run-chases (22), which got him the tag of Chase-Master by the cricket fraternity.
It has been over five months since Virat Kohli played international cricket. India’s tour of New Zealand which was held earlier this year and comprised 5 T20Is, 3 ODIs and 2 Tests was the last time the Indian skipper was on the field.
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International cricket had come to a halt due to the global COVID-19 outbreak, and if everything goes as planned, the fans could witness the Run-Machine in action during India’s tour of Australia, also known as the Border-Gavaskar trophy, in the later stages this year.
While there’s some time left for the Indian team to be black in their national jerseys, the fans and cricket pundits would be rooting to see Virat Kohli donning the RCB’s jersey for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) that is set to take off in UAE from September 18.
