India focussed on winning Kohli’s 100th Test – Jasprit Bumrah

India vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah said on Tuesday that the team is not thinking about the lack of crowd for their first Test against Sri Lanka in Mohali and their focus will be on winning the series opener. The PCA Stadium will be without spectators for the first Test, which will also be Virat Kohli’s 100th match in the longest format of the game.

Jasprit Bumrah, addressing the press two days ahead of the first Test, said the crowd does bring energy to the contest but the players can only focus on the controllable.

Bumrah’s comments have come at a time when a section of fans were expressing their disappointment over playing Kohli’s 100th Test in front of empty stands. While the T20I series against Sri Lanka was played with spectators in both Lucknow and Kolkata, the second Test in Bengaluru will also have 50 percent capacity at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

However, the Punjab Cricket Association confirmed last week that the first Test in Mohali will be played without spectators, citing Covid-19. PCA treasurer RP Singla told the PTI that the decision has been taken in accordance with a directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“Right now we’re focussed on what we can control. Of course, if there’s a crowd it’s great since they bring energy. But that’s not in our hands. We can only focus on trying to win the match,” Bumrah said.

Meanwhile, Bumrah heaped praise on his former captain, saying 100 Test matches is a testament to Kohli’s hard work over the years.

Kohli will become the 11th Indian to play 100 Tests after Sachin Tendulkar (200), Rahul Dravid (163), VVS Laxman (134), Anil Kumble (132), Kapil Dev (131), Sunil Gavaskar (125), Dilip Vengsarkar (116), Sourav Ganguly (113), Ishant Sharma (105), Harbhajan Singh (103), and Virender Sehwag (103).

“It is always a special achievement for a player to play 100 Tests. Virat has contributed a lot to this team and will continue to do so. It is another feather on his cap and I would like to congratulate Kohli. It is a testimony of his hard work,” he added.

Rohit Sharma will lead India for the first time in Tests as he was named the replacement for Kohli, who quit from the top job in January after India lost a Test series 2-1 in South Africa.