Virat Kohli proud of playing 100 Tests in IPL era

India’s star batsman Virat Kohli credited his level of fitness for achieving the landmark of 100 Tests in an age of relentless cricket that has included numerous Indian Premier League appearances, AFP reported.

The 33-year-old Kohli made 45 and put on a key 90-run stand with Hanuma Vihari after India elected to bat first in the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Mohali.

Kohli, who started off as a chubby boy from Delhi on his way to becoming a fitness icon with a chiselled physique, reflected on his Test journey that began in 2011 in West Indies.

“It’s been tough from the point of view that I have played three formats of the game plus IPL every year for the last 10 to 11 years consistently, and that obviously is a big challenge in itself,” Kohli said.

“I am immensely proud of how I have handled my physique, my fitness levels to come this far. And obviously a lot of discipline, lot of lifestyle changes.”

He added: “Especially playing 100 Test matches, for me personally, has been a kind of a test that I have in my own environment passed.”

Kohli has played 207 Twenty20 matches for IPL side Royal Challengers Bangalore, apart from his 357 limited-overs games for India. He also captained Bangalore between 2013 and 2021.

He surpassed 8,000 Test runs in his 76-ball stay before being bowled by spinner Lasith Embuldeniya and walking back to a standing ovation from the crowd.