Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian batsman, is gearing up to celebrate his 35th birthday on Saturday. Known for his exceptional skills with the cricket bat, Kohli has consistently made headlines since his early days in the sport. From leading India to victory in the U19 World Cup in 2008 to his impressive international debut, Kohli’s remarkable ability to score runs and win matches has set him apart as one of the greatest cricketers of all time.
In his illustrious Test career, Kohli has represented India in 111 matches, accumulating 8,676 runs at an average of 49.29. With 29 centuries and 29 fifties to his name, Kohli holds the fifth-highest Test score for India. However, he still trails behind the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the record for the highest Test runs with 15,921.
Kohli’s achievements in Test cricket are not limited to his individual records. He is also India’s most successful Test captain, leading the team to 40 wins, 17 losses, and 11 draws in 68 matches. Under his captaincy, India has secured five consecutive ICC World Test Championship maces and consistently ranked as the top team in the world.
One of Kohli’s notable contributions to Indian cricket is his partnership with head coach Ravi Shastri and bowling coach Bharat Arun, which has developed one of the most formidable Test pace attacks in history. Featuring the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, and Mohammed Siraj, this pace attack has been instrumental in India’s success.
Kohli’s prowess extends beyond Test cricket. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), he has amassed 13,525 runs in just 288 matches, with an average of 58.04. With 48 centuries and 70 fifties, Kohli ranks as the fourth-highest run-scorer in ODIs and the second-highest for India, trailing behind Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 18,426 runs.
Known as the “Chase-Master” in ODIs, Kohli has displayed exceptional batting skills while chasing targets. In 159 matches, he has scored 7,794 runs at an average of 65.49, including 27 centuries and 40 fifties. Kohli’s ability to perform under pressure has been instrumental in India’s successful run-chases.
Kohli’s dominance is not limited to ODIs; he has also made a significant impact in T20 Internationals (T20Is). With 4,008 runs in 115 matches, he holds the record for the highest run-scorer in T20Is. Additionally, he has received numerous awards, including the most “Man of the Match” and “Man of the Series” awards in T20Is.
In his overall international career, Kohli has accumulated an impressive 26,209 runs in 514 matches, with 78 centuries and 136 fifties. He is the fourth-highest run-scorer in international cricket and the second-highest for India, falling short of Tendulkar’s record.
Furthermore, Kohli has excelled in various ICC tournaments. He is the only player to have scored over 3,000 runs in ICC white-ball events. In the Cricket World Cup, he has scored 1,472 runs in 33 matches, making him the fourth-highest run-scorer in the tournament’s history.
Kohli’s achievements extend beyond international cricket. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he represents the Royal Challengers Bangalore and holds the record for the highest run-scorer in IPL history, with 7,263 runs in 237 matches. His exceptional performance in IPL 2016, where he scored 973 runs including four centuries at an average of 81.08, remains a highlight of his T20 career.
Recognizing his remarkable contributions to the sport, Kohli has received numerous accolades, including the ICC Men’s Cricket of the Decade award, two ICC Player of the Year awards, three ICC ODI Player of the Year awards, and one Test Player of the Year award. In 2018, he was honored with India’s highest sporting honor, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award.
As Virat Kohli celebrates his 35th birthday, his exceptional records and achievements solidify his status as one of the greatest cricketers of all time.
