Sunil Gavaskar backs Virat Kohli to score 100 international tons

Virat Kohli [Source: AP]

On Sunday, Virat Kohli created a plethora of records in the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram, hammering 166 runs off 110 balls. 

This was the former Indian captain's third hundred in the last four ODIs, which prompted the legend Sunil Gavaskar to say that Kohli could very well reach the 100-international hundred mark.

Kohli has 74 international centuries — 46 ODIs, one T20I, and 27 Tests — and is only behind Sachin Tendulkar. 

The former Royal Challengers Bangalore captain has managed to score four international hundreds in the last six months, prior to which the great tasted hardly any success with the bat for two and a half years. 

Speaking to Aaj Tak, Gavaskar said that Kohli's fitness provides him a chance to play cricket for the next 5-6 years, and if he manages to do so, he can surpass Tendulkar's tally. 

Here's what Gavaskar stated

"In case he plays, 5 or 6 years, he will get to the 100. There's no doubt about it. His average is about 6-6 hundreds a year. So if that happens, then surely he can add another 26 hundreds in the next 5-6 years, if he plays till 40,

"Sachin Tendulkar also played till his 40s and he had kept his fitness. Kohli is very aware of his fitness. He is still, the fastest runner between wickets in this Indian team. Today, at this age, he beats the youngsters hands down. So with that kind of fitness, for him to play till 40 would not be a surprise at all."

Gavaskar further said that Kohli's love for the game enables him to play in all three formats and the Indian Premier League without any problems, despite what the outside noise would think. 

The batting maestro will be seen in action in the three-match ODI series against the visiting New Zealand beginning Wednesday.

Also Read: Virat Kohli goes past Jayawardene's ODI tally, moves to fifth on all-time list