Explore the extraordinary cricketing legacy of Virat Kohli, from record-breaking achievements to stellar captaincy. Dive into the world of this cricketing legend in our in-depth article.
Virat Kohli, an iconic figure in the realm of cricket, celebrated his 35th birthday this past Sunday. His journey in international cricket, which commenced in 2008, has been a remarkable odyssey filled with numerous achievements.
From his early days, leading India to a triumphant U-19 World Cup victory in 2008, Virat Kohli has consistently been in the limelight for his exceptional ability to score runs.
Kohli’s international career boasts an impressive 5114* matches across ODI, Test, and T20 formats, accumulating a staggering 26,209* runs as of November 4, 2023.
Notably, he recently surpassed the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record during an ICC World Cup match against Sri Lanka by amassing over 1,000 runs in a calendar year for eight years. Tendulkar achieved this feat seven times in his illustrious career.
Kohli achieved this milestone in the years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019, while Tendulkar’s accomplishments were in 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003, and 2007.
Virat Kohli’s record book is nothing short of a cricketing masterpiece:
- Most runs: 26,209*
- Most centuries: 78*
- Most double centuries: 7*
- Most half-centuries: 136*
- Most ODI centuries: 48*
- Most ODI runs: 13,525*
- Most Asia Cup runs: 1,171
- Most T20 runs: 4008*
- Most ICC runs: 3,142*
- Most ICC final runs: 280*
- Most ICC knockout runs: 656*
- Most ICC awards: 9*
- Fastest to milestones from 8,000 to 13,000 ODI runs.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Kohli was honored with the Sir Garfield Sobers Award for ICC Male Cricketer of the Decade.
Kohli’s Test performances are equally astounding, with centuries scored against every opponent he faced, except Bangladesh.
His leadership skills shine as well, with India securing five consecutive ICC World Test Championship maces under his captaincy, maintaining their position as the top-ranked team for five successive years.
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Under Kohli’s captaincy in Test cricket, India secured victories in 40 out of 68 matches, with 17 losses and 11 draws.
In ODIs, he led India in 95 matches, winning 65, losing 27, with one tie and two ending without results.
In the T20 format, Kohli captained India in 60 matches, winning 30, losing 16, and having two ties and no-result matches.
Kohli thrives on the grandest stages and is the only player to amass 3,000 runs in ICC white-ball events.
In the Cricket World Cup, he amassed 1,472 runs in 33 matches with an average of 54.51, including three centuries and 10 fifties, ranking as the fourth-highest run-scorer in the tournament’s history, with Sachin Tendulkar leading with 2,278 runs in 45 matches.
In T20 World Cups, Virat Kohli is the highest run-scorer, with 1,141 runs in 27 matches and 25 innings, maintaining an impressive average of 81.50, along with 14 half-centuries.
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In 2018, he was bestowed with India’s most prestigious sporting accolade, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, cementing his status as a cricketing legend.