Former captain Virat Kohli completed a 76th international century on the second day of the ongoing second Test match of India’s tour of West Indies at the Queen’s Park Oval. In what is Kohli’s 29th Test century, it is his 25th at No. 4, 15th away from home, third against West Indies and second in West Indies, under captain Rohit Sharma (80) and in 2023.
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Batting for the first time in this format at this venue, Kohli resumed his innings from 87* on Day 2. It required Kohli just over six overs as he hit a Shannon Gabriel delivery for a boundary to touch the three-figure mark for the fourth time across formats in Trinidad.
It all happened on the second delivery of the 91st over when Kohli lunged forward to square drive an ordinary ball form Gabriel through the backward point region to become the third Indian batter to score a ton on this tour.
Virat 76 Century Celebration Video
A heart-warming congratulatory hug from batting partner Ravindra Jadeja was followed by the 34-year old player removing his helmet and acknowledging the applause from everyone present at the ground.
A role model to India batter Shubman Gill (10), Kohli was seen emulating his “bow down” celebration in what will be remembered as another heartening gesture from a senior player. Just like Kohli had done for Gill upon him registering a maiden Test century against Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium earlier this year, the latter was seen clapping for Kohli alongside the whole Indian dressing room on Friday.
In addition to this, Kohli also brought to light his wedding ring from inside his jersey to kiss it much like he had done it after scoring a 75th century for India in the above mentioned match in March.
Ending a 5-year wait in his 500th Int’l Game with a 💯
Just @imVkohli things!
.#INDvWIonFanCode #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/5j5td33iO2— FanCode (@FanCode) July 21, 2023
Virat Kohli Scores An Overseas Test Century After 1,678 Days
Kohli, who had brought an end to a dry spell regarding centuries in Test cricket after 1,205 days in Ahmedabad, has taken 1,678 days to score an overseas Test hundred this time.
For those who don’t know, this is Kohli’s first Test century outside of India since him scoring one against Australia in Perth in December 2018. In this period, Kohli has scored four ODI centuries on the home of the opposition and one T20I century at a neutral venue. Interestingly, two out of his four ODI centuries had come in consecutive matches in Port of Spain four years ago.