Virat Kohli Ends Five-Year Overseas Century Drought in Style
Star Indian batsman, Virat Kohli, finally broke his five-year-long drought for a century in an overseas red-ball match on the second day of the second Test against West Indies at the Queen’s Park Oval. This remarkable feat was achieved in his 500th international appearance, adding an extra layer of significance to the momentous occasion.
Starting the day on 87, Kohli displayed his characteristic finesse and skill as he gracefully completed his 29th Test century by elegantly dispatching a boundary off Shannon Gabriel’s bowling.
The flawless ton catapulted Kohli’s tally of Test centuries to a remarkable 29, placing him on par with the legendary Sir Donald Bradman, who had achieved the same feat in 52 Tests during his illustrious career.
While the 34-year-old exhibited exceptional form in the opening Test as well, falling just short at 76, he left no room for disappointment in this match, continuing his sublime display with striking drives and flicks to reach the coveted century mark.
Notably, Virat Kohli had last managed to score four away hundreds during India’s 2018 tour of Australia, but then faced a prolonged wait for an overseas Test century, making this achievement all the more gratifying. His previous international century outside India came in Perth during the 2018 tour.
In the picturesque Caribbean Islands, Kohli secured his second Test century, with the first one having been converted into a remarkable double century back in 2016, during a match in North Sound.
With this latest century, Virat Kohli surpassed New Zealand’s Kane Williamson’s tally of 28 Test hundreds, elevating him to the third position among active cricketers with the most Test centuries, trailing only behind Australia’s Steve Smith (32) and England’s Joe Root (30).
Having won the first Test, India holds a 1-0 lead in the Test series. Opting to bat first in the second Test, the team seems well on its way to setting an imposing total, with Kohli’s magnificent century paving the way for a dominant performance.
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