Virat Kohli has already scored 75 centuries, he can score at least 50 more: Harbhajan Singh

On Sunday, March 12, Virat Kohli broke the Test century curse after more than three years by smashing a stunning 186 in India’s first innings of the fourth and final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test. With the feat, Kohli became just the second batter in the world to reach the 75-century mark, after the legendary Sachin Tendulkar and former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh believes that the 34-year-old can go on to break Tendulkar’s record of 100 international tons.

Thanks to centuries by opening batter Shubman Gill and former India skipper Kohli, the hosts were able to go past Australia’s first innings total to finish at 570/9. The hosts finished their innings with a 91-run lead over visiting side Australia, who had ended their first innings scoring 480 runs. While Shubman Gill notched up his second Test hundred, Virat Kohli notched up his 28^th ton in whites, and 75^th overall, thereby shattering several records on his way to the milestone.

“It's certainly possible. I think he can score more than that (100 centuries). Two things favour Virat here; his age, and his fitness. He's 34 but his fitness is that of a 24-year-old cricketer. He's way ahead in that aspect. He has already scored 75 centuries, he can score at least 50 more. He knows his game and he plays all formats,” Harbhajan told Sports Tak.

If anyone can do it, it's Virat Kohli: Harbhajan Singh

Like Harbhajan, there have been many experts who predicted that Kohli would surpass Tendulkar to score the most centuries, but the talks faded when Kohli had been going through a lean patch in his career. But that period ended when Kohli notched up his first T20I ton against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup, and then scored three ODI centuries between December 2022 to January 2023 while playing against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

“You might think I'm going overboard with this, but it is certainly possible. If anyone can do it, it's Virat Kohli. Rest all are far behind him. He knew he had to work on his fitness, because his batting abilities are god-gifted. I don't think he will stop from here. There are no technical faults, and even if they are, he works on them and rectifies them. Since his return (after break), he has already scored five centuries. This is pretty much a comeback for him,” Harbhajan further said.

Now that Kohli has notched up a Test ton and is back in form across all formats, the talks about his retirement have vanished. Pundits and fans want him to keep scoring runs and keep breaking records so as to become a legendary cricketer of this era. Among many, Harbhajan feels that Kohli can not only break Tendulkar’s record, but also has to ability to score 50 more centuries. Harbhajan was very happy with how the Ahmedabad pitch turned out as he further stated:

“It's nice that he (Kohli) got a chance to bat on a pitch that assists batters. Earlier, the games used to end in three days and bowlers ruled the roost. Virat, Rohit (Sharma), (Cheteshwar) Pujara also have the right to get pitches where they can score runs. A fifty on bowling-friendly surfaces is like a hundred, and they've done that.”

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