1st Test: To be honest, I had butterflies in my stomach, says Virat Kohli

Senior India batter Virat Kohli admitted that he had butterflies in his stomach before stepping on the field for his 100th Test match against Sri Lanka. In the opening Test of the two-match series at the IS Bindra PCA Stadium on Friday, Kohli became the 12th Indian and 71st cricketer overall to achieve the landmark.

"Rahul (Dravid) bhai had asked me in the morning how are you feeling? I said to him, I am feeling like I am making my debut all over again. To be honest, I had butterflies in my stomach. It was a special moment and I didn't realise the magnitude of the occasion till the time things got closer to today and how the presentation ceremony happened. There were people in the stadium today as well; it was a moment which was very, very special. I did feel very nervous before walking out before," said Kohli in the virtual press conference.

Talking about the difference in his approach walking out as a specialist batter and not as captain, Kohli remarked, "Walking as a specialist batter, I have said this before, my mindset was exactly the same even before becoming the captain. I always wanted to be a responsible player for the team and I always took responsibility even when I wasn't captain so for me, nothing changed."

Kohli, in his 100th Test, oozed confidence in his drives and flicks while making 45 before being bamboozled by turn from Lasith Embuldeniya. He expressed disappointment in getting out after getting a good start.

"I was obviously disappointed. I got a good start and was batting really well. When you get a start and get out like that, you obviously feel disappointed as a batsman and I am no different. So, the endeavour is always to make sure you play a big innings for the team and put the team in a strong position."