In today’s weekend blog, I am on cricket again.
VIRAT KOHLI is one of the best batsmen the game of cricket has ever seen and can be considered the greatest batsman of the present era (say after 2010). He made his International debut in August 2008 when he played his first ODI for India, started his Test career for India in June 2011, and started his T20I career in June 2010.
Friends, you may not be aware that after his International debut, he is holder of the following cricketing records:
(Please note that stats mentioned here are till mid August 2024)
1 Most International Runs scored (All formats)- 26,942
2 Most 50+ Scores – 220
3 Most 50s- 140
4 Most 100s– 80
5 Most 150s- 16
6 Most 200s- 7
7 Most 4s– 2662
8 Most Boundaries (4s+6s)- 2963
9 Most Player of the Match Award (POTM)- 67
10 Most Player of the Series Award (POTS)- 21
11 Most Runs at Home- 11,989
12 Most 50+ Scores at Home- 97
13 Most 100s at Home- 38
14 Most Runs Away from Home- 14,953
15 Most 50+ Runs Away from Home- 81
16 Most 100s Away from Home- 42
17 Most Runs Batting First-12,981
18 Most 50+ Scores Batting First- 104
19 Most Runs Batting Second- 13,961
20 Most 50+ Scores Batting Second- 116
21 Most 50+ Scores Batting Second- 72
22 Most 100s Batting Second- 44
23 Most ODI 100s- 50
His Records in ICC Tournaments ( ODI WC, T20 WC, Champions Trophy, World Test Championship Final)
1 Most Runs-3736
2 Most 50+ Scores- 37
3 Most 50s- 32
4 Most POTM Awards- 13
5 Most POTS Awards- 3
6 Most ICC Awards- 10
7 Most Runs in Knockouts-939
8 Most 50+ Scores in Knockouts-9
9 Most 50s in Knockouts- 8
10 Most Runs in Finals- 410
His Record as Captain
1 Most Runs- 12,883
2 Most 50+ Scores- 99
3 Most 100s- 41
4 Most 150+ Scores 11
5 Most 200s- 7
6 Most POTM Award- 27
7 Most POTS Awards- 12
8 Most Times ICC Team Captain- 8
All these records make Virat Kohli the BEST Batsman of the current era, and if there was no Covid Epidemic (2020-22) his records would have been even better, as after the play resumed in full swing after Covid, Virat did not come back to his full potential till late 2023. Before the advent of Covid, he was at his peak, and break due to Covid affected his later performances.
He is a fitness freak, and at 35+ years his fitness is much better than players in their early 20s.
Friends, if you are aware of any other record which I might have missed, please do write in the comments column, at the end of the blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
25th October 2024.