'Op-Ton-Heimer' Virat Kohli becomes first cricketer to slam a century in his 500th international match

Virat Kohli Slams 29th Test Century: Star India cricketer Virat Kohli made his landmark 500th international match special as he notched up his Test career's 29th hundred on Friday (July 21) and became the first player to do so.

Kohli - who required 13 runs to get to his century on the tour - achieved the feat on day two of the second Test match against West Indies. The talismanic right-handed batter was unbeaten on 87 at stumps on day one at Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain.

Virat Kohli International Career Highlights

Kohli - who now has 76 international centuries - had to end the drought of five years to bring up a century away from home. It is his 15th overseas ton overall in the red-ball format. It was his second Test hundred in the Caribbean from the star India batter.

Kohli played his trademark cover drive off Shannon Gabriel to get to the triple-figure mark. It is Kohli's 13th Test century outside Asia and second in the year 2023. It was the fourth century from the blade of Kohli in the World Test Championships. Kohli got off the mark with a straight drive after consuming 20 dot balls and persevered to get to yet another milestone.

Kohli emulates Sachin Tendulkar & Sir Don Bradman

With this century, he has equalled Sir Donald Bradman's record of 29 Test centuries in his career. He also emulated former India cricketer and batting legend Sachin Tendulkar - who also notched up his 29th Test ton in the West Indies at this very venue.

Kohli notched up his Test career's maiden century in Adelaide in 2012 when he scored 116. His second ton came against New Zealand in Bengaluru in the same year. Kohli - who went on to establish himself as one of the modern greats - slammed 27 more centuries in 111 Tests.

Kohli showcased his batting talent in the white-ball format in 2009 when he slammed his maiden ODI century against Sri Lanka at iconic Eden Gardens. The Delhi cricketer scored 107 off 114 deliveries in that game.