Virat Kohli,the former Indian cricket captain, continues to etch his name in the annals of cricketing history with a string of remarkable records and achievements. From setting new standards in fielding to amassing staggering batting statistics, Kohli’s journey through the cricketing world has been nothing short of exceptional.
In a recent Asia Cup match against Nepal, Team India’s fielding woes were on full display as they dropped three crucial catches within the first five overs. Virat Kohli, usually known for his safe hands, was one of the culprits who put down a catch. Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan also shared the responsibility. Despite the early hiccups, India managed to regroup swiftly and took wickets at regular intervals, making a remarkable comeback in the match.
Virat Kohli’s 143rd catch in One Day Internationals
Kohli, not one to stay out of action for long, soon redeemed himself with a spectacular single-handed catch to dismiss Aasif Shiekh. This catch marked Kohli’s 143rd catch in One Day Internationals (ODIs), catapulting him up the ladder of record-holders for most catches in this format. He now stands in the fourth position, following the likes of Mohammed Azharuddin, Ricky Ponting, and Mahela Jayawardene. Azharuddin leads the list with 156 catches, while Ponting and Jayawardene boast 160 and 218 catches, respectively.
In the realm of active players, Virat Kohli reigns supreme, leading the pack with 143 catches. Chris Gayle, who is yet to officially announce his international retirement, follows closely with 124 catches. Martin Guptill and Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik trail behind with 104 and 100 catches, respectively.
Kohli’s batting prowess has also left an indelible mark on the cricketing world. He achieved an unparalleled 890 rating points in the ICC ODI rankings, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s best rating of 887 in 1998. In Test cricket, Kohli boasts the highest ICC rating points ever recorded at 922 in the ICC Player Rankings for Test Batsmen.
As a captain, Kohli displayed exceptional leadership, scoring six double centuries in Test matches, surpassing the record held by cricket legend Brian Lara. He also notched up the most 150+ scores as a Test captain, achieving this feat nine times. In ODIs, Kohli’s captaincy success rate stands at an impressive 75.89%, surpassing the iconic M.S. Dhoni.
Kohli’s run-scoring abilities have transcended formats, amassing more than 20,000 runs across Test matches, One Day Internationals, and T20 matches at an average of over 50. He achieved the milestone of 10,000 ODI runs in just 10 years and 68 days, a testament to his consistency and talent.
His captaincy in the T20I bilateral series was equally commendable, winning 12 out of 17 series. Kohli also became the first Indian cricketer to cross 10,000 T20 runs and the first-ever player to be part of 50 wins in each of the three formats.
Kohli’s captaincy led India to a historic 372-run victory against New Zealand in the 2nd Test match of the IND vs. NZ 2021 series, marking the biggest win in terms of runs in Indian test history.
His accolades extend beyond the field as well. Kohli is one of only two cricketers, along with Ricky Ponting, to win the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy in successive years (2017 and 2018). He also achieved the distinction of being the first Indian captain to win two Boxing Day Test matches.
Stepping into captaincy when India was ranked 7th and stepping down when they were ranked No.1, Kohli’s Test captaincy record stands at 113 innings, 5,864 runs, an average of 54.80, 20 centuries, and 18 fifties. In international cricket as a captain, Kohli led in 213 matches, winning 135 and accumulating 12,883 runs at an average of 59.92, including 41 centuries.
In a recent milestone, on December 10, 2022, Virat Kohli secured his 72nd century in the 3rd ODI against Bangladesh, surpassing Ricky Ponting’s 71-century mark. He also clinched the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for October due to his stellar performance in the Asia Cup 2022 and the ICC T20 World Cup 2022.
Adding to his list of accomplishments, on March 11, 2023, in the 4th Test match of BGT 2023, Virat Kohli surpassed Brian Lara to become the second-highest run-scorer against Australia in international cricket, trailing only the legendary Sachin Tendulkar.
Virat Kohli’s journey through cricket remains a source of inspiration and a testament to his unwavering dedication and excellence in the sport.
