I have got 15 hundreds away from home – Virat Kohli silences his critics after scoring 29th century

Virat Kohli was in effusive touch on the second day of the second Test as he racked up his 29th Test century, his 76th overall while also bagging his 15th ton away from home, a number that is not so easily matched in the history of international cricket.

More importantly, he achieved this glistening feat of his in his 500th international match, another record that has been achieved by a very few in international cricket. He continued playing the shots with consummate ease and there was barely any resolve from the hosts to try and get him out of his depth.

Talking in a post-day conference, Virat Kohli said, “I really enjoyed myself out there. I was in rhythm in which I wanted to be. I always looked at pressure as an opportunity to stand up for my team. I switch on myself in the contest and it gets the best out of me.”

He knows a thing or two about scoring a TON 💯 in Trinidad! 😊 🙌#TeamIndia | #WIvIND | @imVkohli | @windiescricket pic.twitter.com/FZw7stxSqC

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 22, 2023

He further added, “I took my time, they were bowling in good areas when I walked in so I had to take my time. The outfield wasn’t quick and fluent as it should have been.”

There was a lot of talk about the time span between two of Kohli centuries away from home being five years. On hearing this, Virat said, “These are things for others to talk. I have got 15 hundreds away from home, that’s not a bad record. I have got more hundreds away than at home. The key is to do well to the best of my ability. We haven’t played 30 matches away from home and I have got a few fifty-plus scores.”

He further added, “I want to contribute as much as possible. If I get 50 the feeling is I missed out on a 100, if I get 120 the feeling is I missed out on a double hundred. These stats and milestones mean nothing in 15 years’ time, what they will remember is if I left an impact or not. I am grateful to play 500 games for India. I never imagined. It’s all hard work. It’s the commitment you give to the sport you are playing which gives you the result.”

VK further stated, “For me converting 1 into 2 is easy runs and I am never going to leave that opportunity. I’m not someone who will wait for a period where I score a bunch of boundaries off 10 balls. If I am scoring six boundaries, I am already batting on 90 which keeps me off pressure. My fitness helps me switch between formats easily. I feel I can bat 300 balls, bat at a good strike rate and keep my intensity high. I am committed to play the game to my best fitness abilities. West Indies and India go a long way. It is a special occasion for me. Couldn’t have asked for a better beginning to the Test.”

The former Indian captain concluded, “There is a sense of history to this ground. The crowd loves their cricket here. Antigua and here are my two favourite venues in the Caribbean. Adelaide in Australia and The Bullring in South Africa are my favourites as well.”