The heart and soul of the Indian team, King Kohli completed 16 years in international cricket today (August 18). It all started when Virat Kohli captained India’s U-19 team towards victory after defeating South Africa in the final. He was the top run-scorer of the tournament with 235 runs at an average of 47 and a strike rate of 94.75. He then made his debut in 2008 in an ODI series against Sri Lanka.
Virat went as an opener with Gautam Gambhir in his debut match against Sri Lanka, but he only managed to score 12 runs. But by the end of series he accumulated a total of 159 runs in five matches.
𝟏𝟔 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢! ♥️
Team India coach, @GautamGambhir takes us down memory lane, reflecting on @imVkohli’s early days, crediting his match-winning ability and relentless hunger as the key to his success! 💪🏻#KingKohli #16YearsOfVirat #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/a79P2UdvgH
---Advertisement---— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) August 18, 2024
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Gautam Gambhir’s high praise for Kohli
“His debut in Sri Lanka I remember he got out early, but seeing him bat in nets we knew he is a player who is going to play for the country for a long time. He has so much talent, an excellent player with a temperament to know how to win matches for the team.”
“Even at the start when he came in the team, he won matches which is the most positive factor in his cricketing career”
Top five international records held by Virat Kohli
Fourth-highest run scorer
Virat Kohli has scored 26942 runs in 533 matches. He is currently sitting at the fourth position. He has 8848 runs in 113 Test matches, 13906 runs in ODIs and 4188 runs in T20Is.
Seven Double Centuries as a Test Captain
Kohli has seven-double centuries as an Indian captain. He equalled Wally Hammond and Mahela Jayawardene’s tally.
Most runs in IPL
The stalwart has 8004 runs in 252 matches, this includes 8 centuries and 55 half-centuries. He holds the record of scoring most runs in a season that is 973 runs in 16 matches.
Kohli is India’s most successful Test Captain
Under the his leadership India remained at the top of Test rankings for six consecutive years. He led Indian team in 68 matches out of which the team won 40, he lost 17 and 11 ended a draw.
Virat is also the first Test captain to win a Test series against Australia.
50 ODI Centuries
During the ODI World Cup match against New Zealand, Virat shattered Tendulkar’s long-standing record by scoring his 50th ODI century. He completed the feat in just 279 innings.
King Kohli: Ruling cricket with iron will and a golden bat
Virat Kohli Completed 16 Years in International Cricket today:
So far:
– Won ODI WC.
– Won T20 WC.
– Won Champions Trophy.
– Won 10 ICC Awards.
– ICC Cricketer of the Decade.
– 26,942 Int’l Runs.
– 80 Hundreds.
– 140 Fifties.
– Joint Most Test Maces.The Greatest ❤️🔥
Poster… pic.twitter.com/uSib4BuxTm
— abhay singh (@abhaysingh_13) August 18, 2024
Virat has registered his name in the golden book of cricket, he is called ‘King Kohli’ for all the right reasons as his undefeatable records completely outshine. He has been through several difficult phases in life, especially the time when he was struggling with poor form for a little while, but his resilience, grit and passion for the game helped him overcome all the obstacles. In the T20 World Cup 2024 final match against South Africa he played like a lone warrior and scored 76 runs which were very crucial for the team.
He recently announced his retirement from T20Is, but will be seen in ODI and Test format.
