Tuesday, 01 October 2024
Tuesday, 01 October 2024
Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli on Monday became the fourth player in history to complete 27,000 runs in international cricket across formats, a feat that he achieved on the fourth day of the ongoing second test against Bangladesh here.
On August 18, 2008, when a 19-year-old boy from Delhi stepped onto an international cricket field for the first time in an ODI against Sri Lanka no one may have imagined that Kohli would have 27,000 international runs under his belt and become synonymous with consistency, passion, and record-breaking performances.
Let’s look at the extraordinary milestones that have defined his journey to cricketing greatness.
Quickest to 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year
Kohli holds the record for being the fastest cricketer to score 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year, a title he claimed in 2018 by smashing through Hashim Amla’s previous record. Kohli crossed 1,000 runs in 11 innings, outscoring Amla, who did it in 15 innings.
Fastest to 10,000 ODI runs – Beating the ‘Master Blaster’
In 2018, Kohli overtook Sachin Tendulkar as the fastest player to score 10,000 runs in One Day Internationals. While Tendulkar achieved the feat in 259 innings, Kohli needed 205 innings to reach the milestone. His innings of 157* against the West Indies was the crowning moment of this achievement, redefining speed and precision in modern ODI cricket.
First batsman to surpass 20,000 international runs in a decade
Virat Kohli became the first cricketer to score over 20,000 international runs in a single decade (2010-2019), breaking new ground in modern cricket. Ricky Ponting, who accumulated close to 19,000 runs in the 2000s held the previous best record. Kohli’s prolific decade came to a climactic peak during an ODI series against West Indies, when he breezed past the milestone. Kohli set a target others have yet to reach.
First player to hit three consecutive centuries against two teams
Kohli became the first player to score three consecutive centuries against two different teams: Sri Lanka and West Indies. Between 2012 and 2018, Kohli notched three tons in a row against both these nations, a feat no other cricketer has matched.
Five consecutive fifties in 2019 Cricket World Cup
During the 2019 Cricket World Cup, Kohli set yet another record, becoming the first captain to score five consecutive half-centuries in a World Cup. His scores included 82, 77, 67, 72, and 66, showcasing his consistency at the highest level of cricket. This run of form surpassed captains from previous editions, including Ricky Ponting and Clive Lloyd.
First cricketer to sweep ICC awards in a calendar year
In 2018, Kohli swept three major ICC awards. He was named ICC Cricketer of the Year, ICC Test Cricketer of the Year, and ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year for his exceptional performance. No player before him had achieved this trifecta, further cementing Kohli’s dominance as one of the most prolific scorers of the game. Kohli surpassed previous award-winning streaks by players like Ricky Ponting and Jacques Kallis, becoming the standard-bearer for excellence across formats.
First Indian Test captain to score 1,000+ runs in three consecutive years
Between 2016 and 2018, Kohli became the first Indian Test captain to score over 1,000 runs in three consecutive calendar years, showcasing his immense contribution to India’s red-ball dominance. Kohli broke Ricky Ponting’s record, the only other captain to come close to such a feat. His batting form over those three years was a key factor in India’s rise to the top of the ICC Test rankings.
Most ODI runs as a captain in a single calendar year
Kohli surpassed Ricky Ponting’s long-standing record for the most runs by a captain in ODIs within a calendar year. In 2017, Kohli amassed 1,460 runs, overtaking Ponting’s 1,424, set a decade earlier. Kohli’s led from the front with the bat, making him a standout leader of his generation.
Most Double Hundreds as a Test Captain
In December 2017, Kohli outstripped Brian Lara’s record for the most double centuries by a Test captain. Scoring his sixth double hundred against Sri Lanka, Kohli surpassed Lara’s tally of five, marking another historic achievement in his career. This feat came during his purple patch in Test cricket, with some of these innings playing crucial roles in India’s overseas successes.
Most Runs in a Single IPL Season
Kohli’s Indian Premier League (IPL) record is also a testament to his dominance across formats. In the 2016 season, he scored 973 runs, a tally that remains unmatched to this day. His four centuries that season set him apart, breaking Chris Gayle’s record for the most runs in a single season.
As he continues to build his legacy, there’s little doubt that Kohli’s name will remain etched in cricket’s annals for generations to come.
