Page 38 - The Indian EYE 072823

SPORTS JULY 28, 2023 | The Indian Eye 38

INDIA IN THE WEST INDIES

Dravid, commentators shower

praise as Kohli plays 500th match

Sixth in the list of most runs scored and behind only Sachin Tendulkar in centuries, Kohli is

the fourth Indian to achieve the milestone of 500 matches

OUR BUREAU
Roseau (Dominica)
irat Kohli began to play his
500th international match
Vduring the second Test match
against the West Indies on Thursday.
Sixth in the list of most runs scored
and behind only Sachin Tendulkar in
international centuries, Kohli is the
fourth Indian to achieve the mile-
stone of 500 matches.
Kohli scored 76 runs off 182 balls
while smashing five boundaries as In-
dia defeated West Indies by an innings
and 141 runs in the 1st Test match.
Former India cricketer Aakash
Chopra lauded Kohli’s remarkable
milestone and termed him the brand
ambassador of the game. “Virat
Kohli’s dedication for the game is
very evident and in fact defines him.
The way he has lived his life like a
monk where it has only been about
cricket. That is the reason he has
reached where he is today and is a
brand ambassador of the beautiful
game. We are all thankful for what Virat Kohli meets legendary West Indies cricketer Sir Garfield Sobers and his wife at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown (ANI)
he has done for Indian cricket and
for cricket in general,” said Aakash
Chopra on JioCinema. for all cricketers across the world.” themselves and his performances are and it has not come easy. It has come
Former India spinner Pragyan India coach Rahul Dravid used all there in the (record) books,” said because of a lot of hard work behind
Ojha too praised him and termed it the eve of Virat Kohli’s 500th inter- Indian head coach. the scenes and a lot of sacrifices he
as on JioCinema “One more feather national appearance to reveal what “For me what has been great to has made throughout his career and
in the cap’ moment, “This is a very makes the former skipper so good at see first-hand is the effort and the is willing to continue to make,” Dra-
special achievement. Very few get to his craft and predict what the future willing and the work he puts in behind vid noted.
achieve this feat. I hope this acts as holds for the legendary batter. the scenes when no one is watching “That is something that is great
a motivation for him and he keeps And while Dravid admitted he and that is reflected in the fact that for a coach as you can see a lot of
playing good knocks for the country was in awe of the achievement by he has been able to play 500 games. the young players look at that and be
and continues with his good form.” Kohli to reach the 500-game mile- He is still going very strong, is very inspired by that and you don’t need
Former India opener Wasim stone, the India coach does not see fit and the energy and enthusiasm he to say anything. Just by the way you
Jaffer lauded Kohli’s longevity and the former skipper slowing down any brings to the game in spite of playing conduct yourself and the way you
said on JioCinema, “Not everybody time soon as he continues to main- 500 games and being around here for carry yourself, the way you go about
gets to play 500 matches and his lon- tain that famous work rate the sets 12 or 13 years now,” added Dravid. practices, the way you go about your
gevity is praiseworthy – the way he has him apart from many of his peers. Dravid - who is one of only three fitness, it becomes an inspiration for
kept himself fit and consistent and “I think it is fantastic and he other India players to have made a lot of young players that are com-
continued playing well and scored (Kohli) is an inspiration to so many more than 500 international appear- ing through the system and hopefully
75 centuries in international cricket. players within this team and to so ances - said Kohli had made many they are inspired by Virat. Longevity
It signifies his discipline, dedication, many boys and girls back home in sacrifices throughout his career and comes with a lot of hard work, dis-
and determination. He has played India,” Dravid said ahead of the that was a major reason why he has cipline and adaptability and he has
500 matches and there is a lot more second Test against the West Indies. been able to stay at the top of his shown all of that, so long may it con-
cricket left in him. He is a role model His numbers and his stats speak for game for so long. “It is truly fantastic tinue, “ added Dravid.

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