Kohli is one of the best batsmen in the modern game and was India’s most successful Test captain until he stepped down as captain in January – but remained a player.
“We are here for Virat and hopefully he scores a century in his 100th Test,” Rhythm said. Sri Lanka,
“He is star number one. He may not be the captain now, but will always be the best leader India has ever had,” the 21-year-old fan, who goes by only one name, told AFP.
Vendors off the field did a brisk business, selling India caps, flags and shirts for around $1-2, and Kohli’s number 18 jersey topped.
What a moment to celebrate his 100th Test appearance in Whites Words of appreciation from head coach Rahu… https://t.co/NCQC2Fko0W
—BCCI (@BCCI) 1646369815000
Ram Kishan, who has been selling merchandise for over a decade, told AFP: “Kohli’s t-shirts have always been the best sellers and we get paid handsomely.”
Referring to India’s new captain Rohit Sharma, he said, “Rohit’s number 45 shirt is also popular among boys. I am glad that the crowd is back and Kohli’s century has also made it special.
The historic game was supposed to be held behind closed doors because of the pandemic, but officials had a change of heart at the last minute, allowing 50 per cent capacity. Almost all the tickets were sold out.
Delhi player Kohli, the 12th Indian to play 100 or more Tests, played his first match in 2011 and was in big shoes to replace the surviving legend MS Dhoni in Australia in 2014.
But he made an instant impact, propelling India up the world Test rankings, turning it into a team that could win anywhere and becoming a fan favorite.
Along the way he garnered 47 million Twitter followers, hosted advertising contracts and married Bollywood star Anushka Sharma, making India’s most prominent celebrity couple.
His on-field aggression and frequent tussles with opposing players and umpires did no harm to his immense popularity.
The end of his captaincy began last year after a disastrous T20 World Cup, in which India suffered a loss to arch-rivals Pakistan and failed to make the knockout stage.
He relinquished T20 captaincy, was sacked as ODI captain and after a public fall with the head of an Indian Cricket The board and the series loss to South Africa led to his resignation as Test leader in January.
But fan Gurmeet Singh, who claimed to have witnessed Kohli’s unbeaten 67 not out against Australia at Mohali in 2013 by Michael Clarke, said that Kohli will always hold a special place.
“What we saw in the summer of 2013 was the class and it was the beginning of Kohli’s stardom,” Singh, who stood in a queue to collect tickets, told AFP.
“He is a special player and has led India to many victories and will hopefully continue to do so.”