‘Just an awesome player’ - Brian Lara heaps massive praise on Virat Kohli following his 76th century in his memorable 500th game

Ace Indian batter Virat Kohli is known for breaking records. Over the years, the 34-year-old has clinched numerous records to his name and continues to do so to this day. The star batter has been in tremendous form as of late, and he showcased just that when India took on the West Indies in the second Test of the ongoing series. 

Scoring a brilliant 121 runs in 206 deliveries, Kohli’s knock was crucial for India in notching up 438 runs on the board in the first innings of the second Test. His excellent knock garnered praise from all across the world, and the legendary West Indies batter Brian Lara was another pundit lauding the sheer excellence of Kohli. 

Coming forward to reflect on his special ton and to congratulate him, Lara opined that no one can keep a player like Virat Kohli down for long, and it was only a matter of time before he started scoring big again.

"He’s a great player, someone like that, you are not going to keep them down for long. If you do, some people have to pay at the end of the day. The way he has looked in the IPL and recently, he’s just an awesome player, and you can't expect someone like that to be down for long," Lara said during an interview.

EXCLUSIVE- @BrianLara on @imVkohli on his 29th Test hundred and more. Says something which will worry bowlers the World over. Speaks to @debasissen at the Queens Park Oval in Trinidad. @RevSportz #INDvsWI #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/kbbhjsEnPy

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) July 22, 2023

West Indies start cautiously, India get a breakthrough late on day 2 of Second Test

Speaking of the game, after team India’s excellence with the bat and notching up 438 runs on the board in the first innings, the West Indies came out to bat, looking to put in an improved performance as compared to the first Test. The side did just that as openers Tagenarine Chanderpaul and skipper Kraigg Brathwaite looked to be in the flow. 

Chanderpaul amassed 33 runs to his name and looked to provide the hosts with a positive start. However, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja took the first wicket and provided India with a breakthrough. By the time stumps were called on Day 2, the Windies found themselves at a score of 86 runs with the loss of one wicket.