Merely just a few months previous to the Sri Lanka collection, Virat had etched his identify into the annals of historical past by main India to victory within the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. Very similar to many U19 captains earlier than him, he had compellingly introduced his case for adorning the Indian cap sooner or later.
He amassed 235 runs in six matches at a formidable common of 47.00, together with a century towards West Indies in the course of the group phases.
In tandem together with his Delhi compatriot Gautam Gambhir, Virat opened the batting towards Sri Lanka however might solely handle to contribute 12 runs.
Virat Kohli (BCCI Photograph)
Regardless of this preliminary problem, the younger prodigy completed his maiden collection with commendable figures – scoring 159 runs in 5 matches at a mean of 31.80, securing his inaugural half-century within the fifth ODI.
Whereas many had foreseen Virat’s worldwide success based mostly on his expertise and U19 achievements, the extent of his accomplishments within the years to return was astonishing, even to his most ardent supporters.
Yr after yr, Virat established himself as a paragon of consistency throughout all codecs, changing into a cornerstone of the modern-day ‘Fab 4’ batting quartet alongside Australia’s Steve Smith, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, and England’s Joe Root.
Since his debut, Virat has participated in 111 Take a look at matches. Following his Take a look at initiation towards West Indies in 2011, he overcame preliminary struggles, the place he managed a mere 76 runs in 5 innings, to cement his standing as a big ambassador of red-ball cricket. Accumulating 8,676 runs at a mean of 49.29 in 187 innings, he boasts 29 centuries, 29 fifties, and a private better of 254*.
His Take a look at run tally locations him because the fifth-highest scorer for India and the 23rd highest general, trailing behind the illustrious Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time document of 15,921 runs in 200 matches with 51 centuries. Amongst Indian gamers, Virat stands fourth when it comes to centuries achieved in Take a look at cricket. Notably, he has achieved the feat of seven double centuries, the best by any Indian participant.
Virat’s management legacy in Take a look at cricket is exceptional. Having captained India in 68 Take a look at matches, he secured 40 victories, endured 17 losses, and witnessed 11 attracts, reflecting a win proportion of 58.82. He steered India in the direction of changing into a formidable power on dwelling soil, orchestrating memorable Take a look at match and collection triumphs in England, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia, and the West Indies.
Virat Kohli (AP Photograph)
His tenure additionally fostered the event of a world-class tempo bowling unit, together with the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, and Mohammed Siraj. A very vital accomplishment was his steering of India to safe 5 consecutive ICC World Take a look at Championship maces from 2017 to 2021.
Virat’s most dominant format is One Day Internationals (ODIs). In 275 ODIs, he has amassed an astounding 12,898 runs at a mean of 57.32. This feat consists of 46 centuries and 65 half-centuries in 265 innings, with a highest rating of 183.
His ODI document locations him as India’s second-highest run-getter, trailing behind Sachin Tendulkar’s 18,426 runs in 463 matches, together with 49 centuries. On the worldwide stage, Virat ranks fifth when it comes to general runs scored. Moreover, he holds the second-highest variety of ODI centuries and continues to pursue a half-century of ODI centuries. His common in extra of 50 amongst ODI gamers with at the very least 150 matches underscores his unwavering consistency and the worth he locations on preserving his wicket.
Virat’s milestones in ODI cricket are distinctive – he’s the third-fastest to succeed in 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, and 12,000 ODI runs.
In his position as ODI captain, Virat’s document is notable. Main the group in 95 matches, he clinched victory in 65, suffered defeat in 27, tied one, and noticed two matches ending with no consequence. This interprets to a win proportion of 68.42.
Virat was a pivotal a part of the group that secured the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. He guided the group to the semifinals of the 2015 and 2019 Cricket World Cups, in addition to the ultimate of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
In 26 World Cup matches, he garnered 1,030 runs at a mean of 46.81 in 26 innings, marked by two centuries and 6 half-centuries, with a highest rating of 107. He additionally excelled within the ICC Champions Trophy, scoring 529 runs in 13 matches at a mean of 88.16, accompanied by 5 half-centuries in 12 innings. Nonetheless, his inconsistency in knockout matches attracted criticism.
Virat Kohli (Photograph by Scott Barbour/Getty Photos)
In an period the place the T20 format emphasizes attacking batting, Virat adeptly combines strategic aggression with situational adaptability, making him a towering determine in T20I cricket. Over 115 T20Is, he has amassed 4,008 runs at a mean of 52.73 and a strike fee of 137.96. With one century and 37 half-centuries to his credit score, his highest T20I rating is an unbeaten 122*.
Virat boasts the best combination of runs, essentially the most half-century-plus scores, and the best common in T20I cricket historical past. He additionally claims essentially the most ‘Man of the Match’ awards (15) and ‘Man of the Sequence’ awards (seven) in T20Is.
Throughout the realm of ICC T20 World Cups, Virat’s stature as an all-time nice is irrefutable. His tally of 1,141 runs in 27 matches and 25 innings at a mean of 81.50, with a strike fee of 131.30 and 14 fifties, positions him as essentially the most reliable participant within the event’s historical past. He has carried out remarkably within the knockout phases of the event, amassing half-centuries in all such matches. Remarkably, he earned the title of ‘Participant of the Event’ in each the 2014 and 2016 editions of the event.
On the entire, Virat’s all-format statistics are astounding. Amid the arrival of T20I cricket and an intensified workload, Virat’s constant efficiency when it comes to runs and appearances throughout all codecs positions him as arguably the very best all-format batter to have ever graced the sport. Over 501 matches, he has tallied a formidable 25,582 runs at a mean of 53.63. Throughout 559 innings, he has marked 76 centuries and 131 half-centuries, with a highest rating of 254*.
His stature as India’s second-highest run-scorer and the fifth-highest general in worldwide cricket locations him on a trajectory to problem the information set by his idol Sachin Tendulkar – 34,357 worldwide runs, 664 worldwide appearances, and 100 worldwide centuries. Furthermore, he holds the excellence of receiving essentially the most ‘Participant of the Sequence’ awards within the historical past of the sport.
These exceptional achievements culminated in Virat receiving the ICC ‘Participant of the Decade’ award for the interval spanning 2011 to 2020.
