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The former Indian coach, Lalchand Rajput believes that Virat Kohli can go on and surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s records with the batting icon hungry to score runs for the team.
Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 100 vs Pakistan. (AP Photo)
Virat Kohli is just one game away from making his 300th appearance in India colours in the ODI format. With all the hype around Kohli’s milestone, the former India coach, Lalchand Rajput, opened up about his early predictions of the batting icon.
The 36-year-old bid adieu to the T20I format after his match-winning knock against South Africa to give India their second T20 World Cup title. Coming to the longest format, he continues playing Test cricket but would like to put in better performances after not being able to go big in the recent games.
Nonetheless, Kohli has established himself amongst the pantheon of Indian cricketing legends with his record being comparable to that of his idol, Sachin Tendulkar. Rajput, who is currently coaching the United Arab Emirates, highlighted how he predicted that Kohli would surpass Tendulkar’s record of scoring 100 centuries across formats.
“To be very honest, I had predicted very early that he would break Sachin Tendulkar’s record. He still has the same hunger and passion, and 300 is a lot of games. He is still so fit, and every run is so important for him, and he values his wicket. He does want to throw his wicket. That is why he is number 1,” he was quoted as saying at the launch of a book – Life Lessons from Cricket.
Fitness has never been a question when it comes to Kohli. The batting great continues to show why he is amongst the most feared batters in the modern era. The chasemaster rolled back the clock to help India overcome their arch-rivals, Pakistan in the group-stage clash at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scoring his ton in 111 balls while staying till the end to seal the victory as well.
The Indian team have secured their spot in the semi-final stages and will play its final group-stage fixture against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday. Kohli will look to continue his stellar form with yet another big knock to help his side make it a hat-trick of wins in the ongoing tournament. The Kiwis, however, could be the side’s biggest test as Kohli would want to make up for his side’s crushing whitewash on home soil against New Zealand last year.
