In a remarkable display of cricketing prowess, Virat Kohli, the former Indian captain, notched his 76th international century during the second Test against West Indies in Trinidad. This achievement shattered multiple records and further solidified Kohli’s reputation as one of the fittest athletes in the sport. The century was not only his first overseas Test ton since December 2018 but also his 29th Test century, putting him on par with the legendary Don Bradman’s tally.
What made the occasion even more exceptional was the fact that this century came in Kohli’s 500th international match, making him the player with the most centuries in 500 international matches. This feat surpassed the previous record of 75 tons held by the iconic Sachin Tendulkar. While the cricketing world celebrated Kohli’s remarkable milestone, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt made an intriguing observation.
In a candid comment on his YouTube channel, Salman Butt praised Kohli’s fitness, stating, “Virat Kohli is not only fit, he is the fittest. When you talk about the top three fittest individuals in cricket, he will undoubtedly be among them. In fact, he might be right there at the top when it comes to fitness.”
Butt emphasized that Kohli’s commitment and self-discipline set him apart, as he maintains an extraordinary level of fitness without external pressure. Comparing Kohli’s fitness with some of his Indian teammates, Butt remarked, “The full Indian team is not as fit as Virat. Some of the players are visibly not as fit. Ravindra Jadeja is fit, even MS Dhoni is fit, though some other players are not that fit. It’s about managing yourself.”
Despite the slow outfield during the match, Kohli’s century was a testament to his patience and determination, as he revealed in a post-match statement, “I really enjoyed myself out there. I was in the rhythm I wanted to be in. Started off in challenging times. I switch on during these times. When I have something to overcome, I get charged up. I had to be patient as the outfield was slow. It was very satisfying as I had to do the hard yards.”
With an astounding record of 25,582 runs at an average of 53.63, Kohli’s accomplishments have left the cricketing world in awe. He now holds an impressive tally of 76 centuries and 131 half-centuries in 559 innings, with his highest score being an unbeaten 254*. Among the ‘Fab Four’ of modern batting, Kohli ranks third in Test centuries, with Australia’s Steve Smith (32) and England’s Joe Root (30) positioned above him, while New Zealand’s Kane Williamson (28) follows closely below.
Virat Kohli’s extraordinary century in his 500th international match has set a new standard for fitness and commitment in cricket, inspiring players and fans alike with his unwavering dedication to the sport.
