In the ongoing Test vs Sri Lanka in the Galle International Cricket Stadium, Australian batting stalwart Steven Smith hit his 28th international hundred and ended his 19-month-long century draught. Smith overtook India’s former captain Virat Kohli and is equal to English Joe Root in the elite list. This is Smith’s first century in the longest format of the game since a ton against India in January 2021.
Having not scored a century for 19 months, there were concerns growing over Smith’s batting form but he put them to bed with a flawless knock against Sri Lanka. By virtue of his effort that saw him reach the three-figure mark in just 193 balls, Smith completed his 28th Test century. This was his first ton since he reached the milestone in a Test match against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2021. By reaching the milestone in 153 innings, he became the third-fastest player after Don Bradman (72 innings) and Sachin Tendulkar (144 innings) to reach 28 Test centuries.
Twitter users hailed Steven Smith, enjoyed his knock to the fullest, and now yearn for Virat Kohli’s 28th test ton and his 71st International century. Virat hasn’t hit a century since 2019.
Here are some top Twitter reactions-
The 27th test ton curse is broken by Smith.
Tera khoon kab khaulega @imVkohli kolly?
— Jaanvi🏏 (@ThatCric8Girl) July 8, 2022
Most Test hundreds in Fab 4:
Smith – 28* (87 matches)
Root – 28 (121 matches)
Kohli – 27 (102 matches)
Williamson – 24 (88 matches)— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 8, 2022
Just want Virat Kohli to get back in form before 2023, then we will have the ultimate showdown next year in #Ashes (Root v Smith) and #INDvAUS (Smith v Kohli) perhaps for one last time. Please god, make this happen.
— Sanchit Desai (@sanchitd43) July 8, 2022
People will cry on kohli if Smith gets 28th 😪 kinda embarasing to allow Smith score before kohli especially root , he overtook kohli from nowhere .
Kohli was leading nd ahead soo much in 2019
— • (@KohlifiedGal) July 8, 2022
Steve Smith also scored a hundred now. Virat Kohli Ka Kab ayega?
— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) July 8, 2022
Now even Smith cross the mark of 27th century, Kohli bhai when? 🥺
— Brendon Mishra 🇮🇳 (@mishraa_op) July 8, 2022
Have to agree with this one. Just like kohli was still churning out 50s with ease in lois, Smith was doing it in test. Both were just unable to complete a 100. Since now Smith had done it, I hope kohli also do it in the 3 odis vs england https://t.co/NJhnQQmc56
— Aryan Singh (@14_aryanp) July 8, 2022
Indians to Virat kohli after Steve Smith's century. pic.twitter.com/YL4tuH75NF
— SiddCasm_ (@Siddharth_1312_) July 8, 2022
Smith scored a century, time for kohli to do the same & normalcy will be restored.
— Shakti (@kohlifiedd) July 8, 2022
Joe Root – 28*
Steve Smith – 28*
Virat Kohli – 27Indian cricket fans seeing this in a week or so to Virat Kohli be like..#SLvAUS #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/DEVaUzr4Nh
— Max (@chahanicharcha) July 8, 2022
A joe root 28th test century has broken the curse, smith reached one today so now time for kohli to reach one whenever he plays test cricket next
— Mridu ⚯͛ (@mj_aIways) July 8, 2022
Smith has an extraordinary record in Test cricket which has seen him score more than 8,000 runs in 87 matches. His average of 60.19 in such a prolonged career makes him one of the finest to have ever played the game.
Cricket enthusiasts, not only from India but from all over the world are longing for Virat Kohli to end his century draught and come into his amazing form, start hitting those runs for which he is fondly called as ‘run-machine’. With two World Cups coming, and World Test Championship final spot already under great threat, his team needs now more than ever.
