'Didn't realise the magnitude of occasion until I reached the venue' - Virat Kohli reveals how he felt ahead of 100th Test

Former Indian captain Virat Kohli played his 100th Test for India against Sri Lanka in Mohali and the expectations on him were really high to score a century on the special occasion. Ahead of the start of the game, Kohli was honoured by head coach Rahul Dravid for achieving the remarkable feat of 100 Tests. Kohli became the 12th Indian cricketer to have reached the landmark.

The stage was set for Kohli to end his century drought as Rohit Sharma opted to bat first after winning the toss in his first Test as India’s captain in the longer format. Kohli has been going through a rough patch of form in the last two to three years and all eyes were on him when he came into the crease at the downfall of Mayank Agarwal’s wickets in the 19th over.

Kohli received a brilliant ovation from the crowd when he walked into the crease and the Mohali crowd had their posters shown up on the screen as well. The right-hander did start his innings nervously but found his rhythm once he got off the mark. However, he received a peach of a delivery from Lasith Embuldeniya while batting on 45 as he was clean bowled.

Felt like I am making debut for India: Virat Kohli

Kohli mentioned that he had explained to his head coach Dravid how he has emotions have been really high and reckoned that he was feeling like his debut game. He added that the occasion did not get to him until he had to go into the crease and claimed it as a special moment.

“I told Rahul bhai (Rahul Dravid) that I am feeling like I am making my debut for India – I didn’t realise the magnitude of the occasion until I reach the ground. It was a special moment,” Kohli said while speaking to reporters after the end of Day 1 of 1st Test against Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, India ended the day on 357/6 on day one of the first Test at stumps and the day had completely belonged to Rishabh Pant who missed out on a well deserved century by just four runs. Ravindra Jadeja stood unbeaten at the crease with 45 while Ashwin (10*) came into the crease late on the day.