When Virat Kohli takes the field during the second Test against the West Indies, he will become the fourth player to represent India 500 or more times, joining the elite company of Sachin Tendulkar (664), M.S Dhoni (538), and current India head coach Rahul Dravid (509). In a video posted by the BCCI on social media, the Indian coach spoke about Kohli and his character, remarking that the iconic player’s longevity reflects his drive, passion, hunger, fitness and temperament. 


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Rahul Dravid  said, "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 to that and get inspired.  That's come because of a lot of hard work behind the scenes. A lot of sacrifices that he has made through his career and is willing to continue to make."


Virat Kohli will become the fourth Indian and tenth international player to represent a country more than 500 times. Non-Indians on the list include Shahid Afridi, Sanath Jayasuriya and Jacques Kallis. Rahul Dravid had nothing but praise for the legendary cricketer before the historic occasion.


“I think it’s a terrific achievement...It’s a reflection of your ability, it's a reflection of your adaptability, it’s a reflection on your fitness, it’s a reflection of your desire,” Dravid added. “So many things can come into this when you talk about longevity because if you slip up on any of these areas, probably you won’t be able to have as long of a career as Virat.”



Kohli notable for adaptability, high standard in different formats


India’s head coach also praised Kohli for his adaptability to different formats and players. He highlighted how, throughout his career, Kohli overcame various adversities and has always adapted well to every situation thrown at him. The 34-year-old has well over a hundred caps in every format of the sport, earning his 100th T20I cap last August in the Asia Cup game against Pakistan. 


Also Read: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and others meet Brian Lara 


He is the only player to average above 50 in all formats and has the second-most centuries with 75 (ahead of Ricky Ponting’s 71 but well short of Tendulkar’s 100). Kohli’s 500th cap will come against the West Indies at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.