Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan says Virat Kohli can break Sachin Tendulkar’s 100 international century record.
Pathan believes current India skipper Kohli has both the ability and the fitness to rewrite the record books.
“I am sure 100 hundreds, he (Kohli) might not be talking about it but you know if anyone could achieve that feat after Sachin Tendulkar, he is the one,” said Pathan talking to the Star Sports Cricket Connected show.
“He has achieved so much in such a little time and I hope if anyone breaks the records of 100 hundreds, 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,” he added.
31-year-old Kohli currently stands on 70 international tons after hitting 43 in 248 ODIs and 27 in 86 Test matches. Tendulkar retired from international cricket back in 2013 with 52 Test and 49 ODI hundreds to his name.
However, despite the current gap, Pathan is certain Kohli will have the target in his mind.
He said: “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.”
Kohli’s next chance to add to his current tally will come when India visit Australia at the end of the year. They are due to play four Test matches, three ODIs and three T20Is.
Kohli Issues Warning ahead of IPL
Before the next international action, Kohli will head to the UAE to captain Royal Challengers Bangalore in this year’s rescheduled IPL.
Before the tournament gets underway, Kohli has issued a warning to his RCB team-mates about the importance of the measures being put in place against COVID-19.
Speaking during a virtual team meeting, he said: “It's obviously very awkward to have a welcome meeting like this but something we probably have to get used to quite a bit
“We've done quite well to get to Dubai safe and sound firstly. We've followed what's been told to us and I would expect everyone to be on the same page in terms of securing the bubble at all times and making sure that nothing is compromised, because one mistake from any of us could literally spoil the whole tournament and none of us want to do that.”
