Classy Virat Kohli can get 100 international centuries; Hardik Pandya will be key for India at World Cup: Shane Watson | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: The monkey was off his back. Relief was writ large on Virat Kohli’s face when he notched up his long-awaited century in the fourth and final Test against Australia. There was a sense of satisfaction in his mute celebration. The wait, since his last Test century in November 2019 was over 1200 days.
A calm Kohli took out his wedding ring, which he wears on a chain around his neck while batting, and kissed it. A silent message of thanks for his wife and biggest support system – Anushka.
“A 600-kilo gorilla is off his back. He will grow a couple of inches taller by this evening,” former India coach Ravi Shastri’s fervent commentary reverberated over the airwaves.
Virat is pulling himself out of that long lean patch. He fought, showed a lot of determination and is now going back to being the best version of his playing self – a prolific run-getter.
Virat has 75 international centuries already under his belt. He is second on the overall tally after batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar who is sitting on top with 100 tons.

(AFP Photo)
Former Australia all-rounder Shane Watson believes the 100-century mark is not that far for Virat.
“It’s incredible what he (Virat) has been able to achieve. He will continue to achieve. It took time for him to get to a Test century, but it was just a matter of time for him. He is a classy player, and he is incredibly good. He will soon score another century. He is just amazing,” Watson told TimesofIndia.com in an interview.
“Virat’s record speaks for itself at this point of time. He is in top form. His career still has a long way to go. It is hard to believe when you see his statistics and he has bright chances of getting 100 international hundreds. Sachin is the only cricketer to do that. Virat is phenomenal and has a number of years with him in cricket,” the former star Aussie all-rounder further said.
‘HARDIK PANDYA WILL BE A KEY PLAYER IN THE WC’
Team India has not been able to win any ICC silverware for a long time now. The last time India won an ICC World Cup trophy was way back in 2011 when MS Dhoni captained India to a title (50 overs) after 28 years. That trophy was won on home soil, with the final played at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. The tournament overall was co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
With the next edition of the ODI World Cup later this year being hosted by India again, the men in blue will be big favourites to pull off an encore of 2011.

(PTI Photo)
Watson believes all-rounder Hardik Pandya will play a key role for the team in the World Cup this year.
“For me, the person who has impressed me a lot as an all-rounder and is very special is Hardik Pandya. His body hasn’t allowed him to play too much Test cricket, but he certainly has the skills to dominate Test cricket. He has got an amazing batting technique and he bowls very nicely as well. He has done wonders for India in the one-dayers and T20Is. He is someone I really love watching play. His skills are amazing,” Watson, who played 59 Tests, 190 ODIs, and 58 T20Is for Australia between 2002 and 2016, told TimesofIndia.com.

“He (Hardik) is someone who brings some things I wanted to do as a fast-bowling all-rounder. He has done well for India, especially on the big stage. He is a special talent (that) India has,” the allrounder told TimesofIndia.com.
“Hardik will be a key player for Rohit in the World Cup. With his skills with the bat, power and technique (that) he has, the bowling power he has, he will be the key player for India in the World Cup,” Watson signed off.