Virat Kohli: A Century of Records in International Cricket
Virat Kohli, the stalwart Indian cricketer, has cemented his place in cricketing history by breaking numerous records and setting new benchmarks. His batting prowess and strategic acumen have not only captivated audiences worldwide but also placed him among the greatest cricketers of all time.
New World Cup Records
On Wednesday, during the semi-finals of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, Virat Kohli surpassed yet another Sachin Tendulkar record. Kohli achieved a well-deserved 711 runs in 10 games, breaking Tendulkar's record for the highest aggregate in a World Cup edition. This was a record-breaking performance, and Kohli wasn't done there.
Kohli also broke the record for the most fifty-plus scores in a World Cup edition, moving past Ricky Ponting's tally of 13704 runs to be placed in the all-time list of ODI run-getters. His innings against New Zealand marked his 50th century in One Day Internationals (ODIs), further cementing his status as one of the most prolific batsmen in the game.
Unmatched Milestones
Virat Kohli's career is replete with extraordinary achievements. He is among the few players to have scored 77 centuries in all three formats of international cricket, a record that stands testament to his batting prowess. His fastest time to achieve 10,000, 11,000, 12,000, and 13,000 runs in ODIs also demonstrates his exceptional consistency and reliability.
Shortly after becoming the leading ODI century scorer, Kohli also broke another milestone by becoming the only Indian batsman to achieve an ICC ODI ranking of 890 points, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's best ever score of 887 points in 1998. He furthered his dominance by holding the highest ICC rating points of 922 in the ICC Player Rankings for Test Batsmen. This exceptional performance highlights his enduring impact on the sport.
Leadership Legacy
Not only a prolific batsman, Kohli has also excelled as a team captain. He holds the record for the most double centuries by an Indian captain in Test matches, surpassing Cricket legend Brian Lara with five double centuries as a Test captain. Kohli's ability to lead from the front is evident in his record of having nine captaincy 150 scores in Test matches. Furthermore, he was the first player to score three consecutive centuries against two different opponents—West Indies and Sri Lanka.
In addition, Kohli is the most successful Indian ODI captain, with a success rate of 75.89%. This is a testament to the trust he has earned from his team and his ability to guide them to victory. Kohli's batting record as a Test captain is impressive: 113 innings, 5864 runs, an average of 54.80, and 20 centuries.
Additionally, Kohli has captained India in 17 T20I bilateral series and won 12 out of them, ensuring that India lost only 2 series under his leadership. On December 10, 2022, Kohli also bagged his 72nd century in the 3rd ODI against Bangladesh, surpassing Ricky Ponting’s 71-century mark. He subsequently won the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for October, following a stellar performance in the Asia Cup 2022 and the ICC T20 World Cup 2022.
Most recently, on March 11, 2023, in the 4th Test match of BGT 2023, Kohli surpassed Brian Lara and became the second player to score the most runs against Australia in international cricket, behind Sachin Tendulkar.
These remarkable achievements underscore Virat Kohli's enduring legacy and his status as a true icon of the game. As he continues to defy the odds and set new records, Kohli's impact on cricket remains immeasurable, inspiring countless fans and aspiring cricketers around the world.