New Delhi: Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane has backed to break legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 centuries in international cricket.
Rahane believes Kohli can achieve the monumental feat if the Team India superstar is willing.
Rahane’s comments came after Kohli slammed his 86th international century for India to help the hosts thrash West Indies by 8 wickets in the 1st ODI of the three-match series between the two sides at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, September 27.
Kohli scored an unbeaten 139 off just 88 deliveries to help India make light work of the 296-run target and register a thumping victory. is the only batter in the world to have scored 100 centuries in international cricket, but Kohli is closing the gap on the Master Blaster with 86 tons to his name in his career so far.
“I think when Virat Kohli puts pressure on himself, that is when he is at his best. In every innings, he has done that. He has those expectations of himself. That is why he has been able to do it consistently for so many years,” Rahane said on Cricbuzz.
“Knowing Virat, if he thinks about 100 centuries, there is nothing wrong with it, because his role model has been Sachin Tendulkar. So, I am sure he must be thinking about it. If he thinks about it, only Virat Kohli can achieve that,” he added.
Kohli looked in superb touch with the bat in the 1st ODI against West Indies on Sunday. He came out to bat at no.3 and combined with skipper Shubman Gill (110) to share a 156-run stand for the second wicket, taking the game away from the visitors. Kohli notched up his hundred off just 73 balls and finished with 139 off 88 deliveries, laced with 10 fours and nine sixes.
Virat Kohli does well under pressure: Rahane
Rahane, who has shared the dressing room with Kohli for a number of years for Team India, believes the star batter does well under pressure. Rahane explained how people often label a player as selfish when he is going after personal milestones, however, he suggested Kohli is someone who sets himself targets and puts pressure on himself to get the best out of him.
“Many times we think that if a player is thinking about milestones, that means he is selfish. But when Virat Kohli puts pressure on himself, that is when he does well. So, I am sure he will have a number on his mind, but at the same time, he will also have the thought that he has to enjoy the game as long as he is playing,” Rahane explained.
Kohli not only closed the gap on Tendulkar with his 86th international century for Team India, but he also joined the Master Blaster in becoming only the second batter to complete 15,000 runs in ODIs. Kohli also broke Tendulkar’s record to become the fastest to reach the milestone. He is currently the second-highest run-getter of all time in international cricket.