Virat Kohli became only the 12th India cricketer and 71st overall to play 100 Test matches when he took the field in the first match against Sri Lanka in Mohali.

The former India skipper has been one of the pioneers of the modern game, and it was a matter of great celebration when he played his 100th Test match on Friday.

Ahead of the game, Kohli was presented a special cap to commemorate the occasion by head coach Rahul Dravid. With wife Anushka Sharma by his side, Kohli went on to reflect on his journey, stating that “in this day and age, with the amount of cricket we play – three formats and the IPL – the only takeaway, if the next generation can take from my Test career, is that I was able to strive through and play the purest format of the game and get to 100 Test matches, which is something that I’m very proud of”.

What a moment to commemorate his 100th Test appearance in whites 🙌🏻

Words of appreciation from the Head Coach Rahul Dravid and words of gratitude from @imVkohli👏🏻#VK100 | #INDvSL | @Paytm pic.twitter.com/zfX0ZIirdz

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 4, 2022

Kohli, who made his Test debut in 2011, scored 7,962 runs after 99 Tests, at an average of 50.39 and including 27 hundreds. Though his last Test century came back in November 2019, his overall attitude towards the format, combined with his run-making fetched tributes from teammates, ex-players and journalists.

Virat Kohli is the heart of Test Cricket. As long as he’s playing the heart will be beating strong. Congratulations on your 100th @imVkohli and best wishes for many many more 🤗 #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/vyKOU00W61

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 3, 2022

Congratulations bro 🤗 💯 Test matches! What an amazing achievement and an incredible journey 👏 @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/EkkLGoVvPF

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) March 4, 2022

Test cricket was limping & that’s when it found a magical physio in Virat Kohli. He came, He conquered & He made everyone love test cricket all over again! Congratulations @imVkohli on your remarkable achievement.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 3, 2022

Congratulations King Kohli 👑
Been an honour playing by your side.
Looking forward to the next 💯 matches.@imVkohli pic.twitter.com/ruZBmfghL8

— K L Rahul (@klrahul11) March 4, 2022

On the eve of his 100th Test, let’s say thanks to Virat Kohli for his unflinching and vocal commitment to a format that we so adore. His heart has beaten the loudest for Test cricket

— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) March 3, 2022

‘If Gavaskar was a fixed deposit, Tendulkar a blue chip share, @imVkohli is a hedge fund’ As he plays his 100th test, the fund has skyrocketed in value. An all time great who changed the face of Ind cricket forever, hope you celebrate your 100th with a 100! Thank you #KingKohli

🗨️🗨️ “Playing 100 Test matches is a fantastic milestone.”#TeamIndia great Dilip Vengsarkar applauds @imVkohli on his 1⃣0⃣0⃣-Test landmark. 👏👏 #VK100 pic.twitter.com/nosUXHjrfK

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 3, 2022

100 Test matches for @imVkohli. A tremendous achievement. Always prioritized the longest format of the game, one of the reasons why Test cricket is still going strong. Long way to go #ViratKohli100thTest https://t.co/M6SjRdflu7

— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) March 4, 2022