In the second one and ultimate Test towards the West Indies, beginning at Queen’s Park Oval on Thursday, Kohli will develop into the fourth Indian to play 500 global fits, becoming a member of Sachin Tendulkar, Dravid himself, and MS Dhoni.
“His (Kohli’s) numbers and his stats speak for themselves, it’s all there in the books. He is a real inspiration to so many players within this team without a doubt and to so many people, boys and girls back home in India,” Dravid stated at the eve of the Test.
“It’s nice to see Virat’s journey. When I first played, he was a youngster coming through. I was not really involved in the team as such. I watched him from the outside with a lot of admiration for what he has done and what he continues to achieve.”
Dravid stated Kohli’s longevity and achievements in all of the 3 codecs used to be a results of “behind the scene” sacrifices and tough paintings.
“I didn’t know that this is his 500th game. For me, what has been great is to see the efforts and the work that he puts in behind the scenes when no one is watching. And that’s great for a coach because a lot of young players will look at that and get inspired.
“That’s come on account of a large number of arduous paintings at the back of the scenes. A large number of sacrifices that he has made via his profession and is keen to proceed to make. Longevity comes with a large number of arduous paintings, self-discipline, and flexibility and he has proven all of that. So lengthy it is going to proceed.”
The 34-year-old Kohli has come a long way since making his ODI debut under Dhoni in a match against Sri Lanka at Dambulla in August 2008. He has participated in 274 ODIs, 115 T20Is, and 110 Tests.
He is the one participant to have 4000-plus runs in T20Is and the fifth-most prolific batsman in ODI historical past (12898 from 274 appearances with 46 loads). He has performed 110 Tests, scoring 8555 runs.
Former captain and mythical batsman Dravid stated Kohli isn’t appearing any indicators of slowing down any time quickly.
“That has mirrored in the truth that he has been in a position to play 500 video games, continues to be going very robust, very have compatibility, and the power he brings to the sport and being round for 12-13 years now, that is in reality implausible. And it does now not come simple.
“You don’t have to say anything but just the way you conduct yourself, the way you carry yourself, the way you go about practices, the way you go about your fitness becomes an inspiration for a lot of other young players who are coming to the system.”
Dravid used to be a part of the Indian Test crew that closing traveled to the West Indies in 2011, together with Kohli. He, then again, admitted that it is just lately that their dating has in reality blossomed as they hung out running with every different with a not unusual function for Indian cricket.
“And now to be able to get to know him a little bit over the last sort of 18 months, to interact with him, to get to know him personally as well, it’s been good fun. I learned a lot from him and in a lot of ways I really enjoyed it, and hope he has as well,” stated Dravid.
(With inputs from PTI)