Superstar cricketer Virat Kohli will play his 100th Test behind closed doors with no spectators because of a coronavirus outbreak in the northern Indian city of Mohali, an official told AFP on Sunday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) host the first of the two Tests against Sri Lanka starting Friday and the spotlight will be on former captain Kohli's landmark game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It is unfortunate that we can't have crowds in Kohli's 100th game due to Covid cases in the city," PCA secretary Puneet Bali told AFP.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"But it is a historic occasion and we would felicitate the great batsman and also put billboards all across the city to celebrate the feat."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Local media reported 19 new Covid cases over the past 24 hours in Mohali. The virus has witnessed a decline across the country.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The second Test, a day-night match in Bangalore, will have limited spectators to watch only the third pink-ball match that India's will have played.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kohli, who was recently succeeded by Rohit Sharma as India's all-format skipper, will return for the Test series after taking a break from the current three-match Twenty20 series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 33-year-old, who has amassed 7,962 runs in 99 Tests since his debut in 2011, will become the 11th Indian to appear in 100 or more five-day matches.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Batting great Sachin Tendulkar played a world record 200 Tests before retiring in 2013.<\/p>\r\n\r\n