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"If Kohli plays for three more years...": Gavaskar backs Virat to hit 100 hundreds

Soumyajit Dutta

Virat Kohli and Sunil Gavaskar [Source: @MostlyKohli/X.com]Virat Kohli and Sunil Gavaskar [Source: @MostlyKohli/X.com]

India legend Sunil Gavaskar has thrown his weight behind Virat Kohli to complete 100 hundreds in ODI cricket. Optimistic with his vision, Gavaskar backed the Indian star to play for three more years to achieve this milestone.

Notably, Kohli featured in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against South Africa and racked two double tons, converting 302 runs alongside a half-century. With his form red-hot, Gavaskar believes he can break Tendulkar's record of having 100 international centuries.

Gavaskar backs Kohli to complete 100 hundreds

Gavaskar sounded optimistic for Virat Kohli's tenure in the game as ODI cricket remains the only format he is actively participating in now.

“Why not? Even if he plays for three more years, he needs 16 hundreds from here. The way he has been batting, he has scored two hundreds in a three-match series. Going forward, even if he scores two more against New Zealand in a three-match series, he will reach 87. So the chances of him getting to 100 are big, very good. The way he has been batting, he is enjoying himself,” Gavaskar said.

Virat Kohli played a fiery yet balanced knock of 65 runs from 45 deliveries against South Africa at Vizag on December 6 as Gavaskar lauded the approach of the batter.

“The way he batted today (Saturday), knowing the match was almost in India’s pocket—he knew a good foundation had been laid by the openers and that batters in good form were to follow,” Gavaskar said.

Gavaskar further added that Kohli enjoyed his time at the crease as he paced through his innings. 

“So he enjoyed himself in the middle. Very rarely have we seen this version of Virat Kohli—the T20 avatar—in ODI cricket. He played his shots from the second ball, and not one of them was reckless. Can anyone tell me whether there was an inside-edge or an outside-edge in his innings?” Gavaskar added.

Gavaskar backs Kohli to fire in NZ ODIs

Gavaskar further backed Virat Kohli to be in phenomenal form in the New Zealand ODI series too, which starts from January 11, given his form remains intact.

“See, he has a month’s break before the New Zealand ODIs. It remains to be seen what happens to his form in these few days. If that break was not there, I am sure he would score two or three hundreds in the series,” Gavaskar said.

India is set to play roughly 35 ODIs until the end of the 2027 World Cup, assuming they reach the final. That gives Kohli more than a 50% chance of failing to score a hundred if he targets his 100th century milestone.