Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane believes Virat Kohli is quietly thinking about reaching 100 international centuries, a mark only Sachin Tendulkar has achieved so far.
The innings behind the talk
Kohli made an unbeaten 139 from 88 balls against the West Indies, hitting 10 fours and nine sixes at a strike rate above 157. India chased down 296 with eight wickets and 50 balls to spare. It was his 55th ODI century, reached from 74 balls.
The hundred was also his 86th in international cricket. It took him to 15,000 men’s ODI runs, making him the second batter after Tendulkar to get there. He also became the first men’s international batter to score 10 ODI centuries against each of two opponents, with 10 each against the West Indies and Sri Lanka.
Rahane on Kohli’s mindset
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Rahane said Kohli is at his best when he puts pressure on himself, and that he has done so in every innings. Those high personal expectations, in his view, explain why Kohli has been so consistent for so many years.
Rahane added that if Kohli does think about 100 hundreds, there is nothing wrong with it, given that Tendulkar has been his role model. In his opinion, if anyone can get there, it is Kohli.
He also argued that Kohli’s pursuit of milestones should not be read as selfish, because his ambition is tied to his wish to perform consistently for the team.
Kohli himself has said before that personal landmarks have never been his main concern. After this century he repeated that his priority is to read the match situation and do his job for India.
