Former India captain Virat Kohli on Saturday ended his 1214-day long drought on ODIs to notch up his 44th ton in the format in the team's emphatic win against Bangladesh in Chattogram. The century put him past Australia great Ricky Ponting, in the second post in the elusive list of most international tons, standing only behind the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Hence, for the first time in over three years, the discussion on whether Kohli could break Sachin's record of 100 centuries has reignited. But a former Pakistan skipper believes that it doesn't matter even if Kohli ends up with 200 centuries, as he pointed out a harsh reality on Indian cricket.
Kohli now stands just five centuries behind Sachin's ODI record of 49 tons and 28 behind in terms of international hundreds. With Kohli still actively part of all the three formats, there still stands a possibility that he could threaten to break Sachin's record.
Rashid Latif was asked about the same whether he does see that possibility. However the veteran cricketer, speaking on his YouTube channel, pointed out that Kohli's bid to break Sachin's record isn't what fans are waiting for. They rather yearn for India to win another ICC title.
“It is not the time to count the number of centuries. It doesn't matter. They need to win a title. It has been years since India won a trophy. Whether Kohli scores 100 centuries or 200, it doesn't matter, what matters to Indian cricket and the fans is a title. If you look financially, IPL and Indian cricket are far ahead, but now there is pressure from the fans and the media that they want a title. Kohli can score 100 centuries if he wants, but the demand has changed. The Asia Cup is gone, so is Champions Trophy, the 2019 World Cup, the last two T20 World Cups. 100 centuries has its own place, but India and the Indian cricket board needs to win a title,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}“It is not the time to count the number of centuries. It doesn't matter. They need to win a title. It has been years since India won a trophy. Whether Kohli scores 100 centuries or 200, it doesn't matter, what matters to Indian cricket and the fans is a title. If you look financially, IPL and Indian cricket are far ahead, but now there is pressure from the fans and the media that they want a title. Kohli can score 100 centuries if he wants, but the demand has changed. The Asia Cup is gone, so is Champions Trophy, the 2019 World Cup, the last two T20 World Cups. 100 centuries has its own place, but India and the Indian cricket board needs to win a title,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}Since 2013, when when India had defeated England to claim their maiden Champions Trophy win, the Men in Blue haven't won another ICC trophy.