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Since making his international debut for India against Sri Lanka in Dambulla on August 18, 2008, Kohli has scored 82 centuries in 547 matches played so far across formats.
Navjot Sidhu praises Virat Kohli. (Picture Credit: X/@BCCI)
Former Indian opening batter Navjot Singh Sidhu was very impressed with Virat Kohli’s century in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 match played against Pakistan at Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Sunday (February 23), and after the right-handed batter sealed India’s six-wicket win by chasing down the target of 242 runs in 42.3 overs, Sidhu made a bold prediction about Kohli. According to Sidhu, who has now donned the hat of an expert and commentator, he is convinced that Kohli will play for the next two or three years and will score 10 or 15 more centuries.
The former India captain, who made his international debut on August 18, 2008, has 82 centuries to his name in 547 international matches played so far in the last 17 years.
“Character is not made in a crisis; it is exhibited. This is a man (Virat Kohli) with pedigree, with passion. And after this 100, I can say with conviction that this man is playing for the next 2 or 3 years, and he is getting another 10 or 15 hundreds. That, you take it from me. Because, you see, the ultimate litmus test for anyone is how he goes through the adverse times, how he embraces adversity. The last six months, there has been so much going on that he chose his moment. When he scored runs against Pakistan, people are not going to forget it for 10 years,” Sidhu said on Star Sports.
While analysing Kohli’s 100-run knock from 111 balls in Dubai on Sunday, Sidhu said, “Look, when you assess Virat Kohli, what is his trademark? If I look at Sachin Tendulkar, it was always the back-foot punch that he would give. Look at Gavaskar, the straight drive. When you look at Virat Kohli, it’s the cover drive. And when he gets his head on top of the ball and he’s cover driving beautifully, you know he’s back.”
“If you look at the initial part of his innings, if you look at these drives, you know that this is the Virat Kohli of old. And to me, it’s the character that he exhibited when the chips were down. These are the people who’ve inspired the kid in the street,” he added.
According to Sidhu, “For the game to grow, you need role models who are above everything. Virat Kohli is a once-in-a-generation cricketer, a ‘Kohinoor.’ You must understand the value that he brings to international cricket- 99 innings, and an average of 89.6 in successful chases means that he handles pressure without allowing it to affect him. And the tougher it gets, the more he thrives in that situation. That’s the hallmark of a great cricketer.”
- Location :
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
