If anyone can achieve Sachin Tendulkar’s feat of 100 centuries, it’s Virat Kohli: Irfan Pathan

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan has backed Virat Kohli to break Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 centuries at the international level. Back in 2012, the Master Blaster notched his 100th ton against Bangladesh during the Asia Cup and the record seemed unassailable at that point in time. However, Virat has come of ages and already has 70 centuries to his name for Team India.

At the age of 31, the Delhi-born Virat is third on the list of all-time highest century makers after Sachin and Australia’s Ricky Ponting. Irfan, who retired earlier this year in January, hoped for an Indian to break the record and vouched for Virat bearing in mind the latter’s fitness levels.

I think Virat Kohli will be able to achieve it, says Pathan

“I am sure 100 hundreds, he might not be talking about it but you know if anyone could achieve that feat, after Sachin Tendulkar he is the one. You know he has achieved so much with such little time and I hope if anyone breaks the records of 100 hundreds because I was part of Sachin’s journey when he scored that last hundred as well,” Irfan told on Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected.

“But I always wish if anyone breaks the record he has to be an Indian and Virat has the ability and fitness, which is the most important thing to be able to achieve that feat. I think he is 30 short of that 100 hundreds, I think he will be able to achieve it before he retires and I hope so and that’s the target he will have in his mind,” he added.

Virat hasn’t played international cricket since the Test series against New Zealand back in February after the COVID-19 pandemic started wreaking havoc. The talented batsman is next likely to don the national jersey during India’s tour of Australia, starting later this year in December.

For the time being, Kohli is in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), preparing for the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the T20 league, he captains the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who are yet to get their hands on the coveted IPL trophy.

Here’s the video clip:

"If anyone could achieve that feat (100x100s) after @sachin_rt, @imVkohli is the one." – @IrfanPathan

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— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 24, 2020