Virat Kohli, the renowned Indian batsman, etched his name further into the annals of cricket greatness by scoring his 29th Test century, achieving the same milestone as the legendary Sir Donald Bradman.
On a sunny day at the Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain, cricket fans witnessed history in the making.
The atmosphere was electric as the crowd cheered when Kohli elegantly struck the ball for a boundary, reaching the much-coveted three-figure mark. With a gracious acknowledgement to the spectators, he then turned towards his teammates and support staff in the Indian dressing room, bowing in a display of gratitude for their unwavering support.
READ: Sachin Tendulkar centuries
It was no ordinary century for Kohli, as it marked his 500th international appearance for India. Throughout his innings, he exhibited complete control, demonstrating the skill and tenacity that have made him a true cricket icon.
Ending a 5-year wait in his 500th Int'l Game with a 💯
— FanCode (@FanCode) July 21, 2023
Just @imVkohli things!
.#INDvWIonFanCode #WIvIND pic.twitter.com/5j5td33iO2
The achievement was even more remarkable considering the challenges Kohli had faced in recent times. After amassing four away centuries in 2018, he had to wait patiently for another century outside India. This momentous ton was his first overseas Test century since December 2018, during India's tour of Australia.
Kohli's prowess in Test cricket extended far beyond the boundaries of India, with a staggering total of 15 centuries in overseas matches. It was his second century in the Caribbean Islands, the previous one being converted into a magnificent double century in 2016 in North Sound.
Virat Kohli hundreds: Where Kohli stands among most Test centurions
| Player | Test hundreds |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 51 |
| Jacques Kallis | 45 |
| Ricky Ponting | 41 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | 38 |
| Rahul Dravid | 36 |
| Sunil Gavaskar | 34 |
| Mahela Jayawardene | 34 |
| Brian Lara | 34 |
| Younis Khan | 34 |
| Alastair Cook | 33 |
| Steve Smith | 32 |
| Steve Waugh | 32 |
| Shivnarine Chanderpaul | 30 |
| Matthew Hayden | 30 |
| Joe Root | 30 |
| Don Bradman | 29 |
| Virat Kohli | 29 |
The significance of this feat was not lost on the cricketing world, as Kohli surpassed New Zealand's Kane Williamson, reaching the third spot in the list of most Test centuries among active cricketers. Only Steve Smith with 32 centuries and Joe Root with 30 stood ahead of him.
The Indian captain's achievements also extended to the West Indies, where he overtook the iconic Sachin Tendulkar's tally of centuries on Caribbean soil. While Sunil Gavaskar (7), Rahul Dravid, Dilip Sardesai, and Polly Umrigar (all with 3) still held more tons, Kohli's second century in the region placed him in a distinguished league.
Among all these achievements, Kohli's humility and dedication to the sport stood out. Young cricketer Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had the privilege of playing alongside him, expressed his admiration, saying, “It is amazing to see him bat. What can I say? He is a legend. I am blessed to play with him. There's a lot of things to learn from him be it cricket and outside of it. I try to pick his mind.”
READ: Asian Games squad for India
Despite his exceptional career, Kohli remained focused on his game, always striving for improvement. His resilience and commitment to fitness impressed India's head coach, Rahul Dravid, who remarked, “He's still very strong, very fit, the energy and enthusiasm despite playing 500 games and being around here for 12-13 years now, it's truly fantastic.”
Dravid further admired Kohli's impact on young players, serving as an inspiration for them to emulate. The former great believed that Kohli's longevity and success were a result of hard work, discipline, and adaptability—qualities that every aspiring cricketer should embody.
“It's nice to see Virat's journey,” Dravid said. “When I was playing, he was a youngster coming through. And then I was not involved in the team as such, I watched it from the outside with a lot of admiration for what he's done and what he's continued to achieve.
“And now to get to know him a bit over the last 18 months [since taking over as coach], interact with him, get to know him personally as well, it's been good fun. I've really enjoyed it, I've learnt a lot from him. So in a lot of ways, I've really enjoyed it and hope he has as well.”
As the sun set on a memorable day at the Queen's Park Oval, cricket fans around the world marvelled at the achievements of Virat Kohli. His journey from a young prodigy to a cricketing legend was a tale of dedication, passion, and true spirit. The legacy he had built would undoubtedly inspire generations to come, both on and off the cricket field as Dravid himself said.
