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. Much like 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 in opposition to West Indies through the group phases.
In tandem along with his Delhi compatriot Gautam Gambhir, Virat opened the batting in opposition to Sri Lanka however may solely handle to contribute 12 runs.
Virat Kohli (BCCI Photo)
Despite this preliminary problem, the younger prodigy completed his maiden collection with commendable figures – scoring 159 runs in 5 matches at a median of 31.80, securing his inaugural half-century within the fifth ODI.
While many had foreseen Virat’s worldwide success primarily based on his expertise and U19 achievements, the extent of his accomplishments within the years to return was astonishing, even to his most ardent supporters.
Year after 12 months, Virat established himself as a paragon of consistency throughout all codecs, turning into a cornerstone of the modern-day ‘Fab Four’ 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 Test matches. Following his Test initiation in opposition to 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 major ambassador of red-ball cricket. Accumulating 8,676 runs at a median of 49.29 in 187 innings, he boasts 29 centuries, 29 fifties, and a private better of 254*.
His Test run tally locations him because the fifth-highest scorer for India and the twenty third highest general, trailing behind the illustrious Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time report of 15,921 runs in 200 matches with 51 centuries. Among Indian gamers, Virat stands fourth when it comes to centuries achieved in Test cricket. Notably, he has achieved the feat of seven double centuries, the very best by any Indian participant.
Virat’s management legacy in Test cricket is exceptional. Having captained India in 68 Test 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 turning into a formidable pressure on house soil, orchestrating memorable Test match and collection triumphs in England, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia, and the West Indies.
Virat Kohli (AP Photo)
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 Test 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 median of 57.32. This feat contains 46 centuries and 65 half-centuries in 265 innings, with a highest rating of 183.
His ODI report 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. Furthermore, he holds the second-highest variety of ODI centuries and continues to pursue a half-century of ODI centuries. His common in extra of fifty 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 achieve 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, and 12,000 ODI runs.
In his function as ODI captain, Virat’s report is notable. Leading the crew 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 crew that secured the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. He guided the crew 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 median 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 median of 88.16, accompanied by 5 half-centuries in 12 innings. However, his inconsistency in knockout matches attracted criticism.
Virat Kohli (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
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 median of 52.73 and a strike charge 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 very best mixture of runs, essentially the most half-century-plus scores, and the very best common in T20I cricket historical past. He additionally claims essentially the most ‘Man of the Match’ awards (15) and ‘Man of the Series’ awards (seven) in T20Is.
Within 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 median of 81.50, with a strike charge of 131.30 and 14 fifties, positions him as essentially the most reliable participant within the match’s historical past. He has carried out remarkably within the knockout phases of the match, amassing half-centuries in all such matches. Remarkably, he earned the title of ‘Player of the Tournament’ in each the 2014 and 2016 editions of the match.
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 one of the best all-format batter to have ever graced the sport. Over 501 matches, he has tallied a formidable 25,582 runs at a median of 53.63. Across 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. Moreover, he holds the excellence of receiving essentially the most ‘Player of the Series’ awards within the historical past of the sport.
These exceptional achievements culminated in Virat receiving the ICC ‘Player of the Decade’ award for the interval spanning 2011 to 2020.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com