In cricket, legends come and go, but then there’s Virat Kohli. Virat Kohli’s initiation into international cricket transpired against Sri Lanka in Dambulla on that auspicious day in 2008. Little did the cricketing world comprehend that a future legend was taking his initial steps on the grand stage of international cricket. His journey began with a resounding impact, leaving no doubts about his destined greatness.
For those who have closely followed Kohli’s extraordinary career, it’s no secret that he proudly adorns the number ’18’ on his jersey. Although the significance of this number may have remained elusive to many, it has come to symbolize his incredible excellence. Much like the number on his back, Kohli’s achievements are truly remarkable and one-of-a-kind.
In his illustrious career, Virat Kohli has etched an indelible mark on the canvas of cricket. He has graced the Indian jersey in a staggering 111 Test matches, 275 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 115 T20 Internationals (T20Is). These figures continue to grow as Kohli continues to adorn the cricketing arena for at least a couple more years.
Kohli’s run tally is nothing short of awe-inspiring. He has amassed nearly 25,000 runs in international cricket, comprising 8676 runs in Tests, 12898 runs in ODIs, and 4008 runs in T20Is. Additionally, within the high-octane domain of IPL cricket, Kohli has accumulated an impressive 7263 runs. These statistics bear witness to his unparalleled batting power.
Kohli’s journey has been punctuated with numerous centuries and milestones. He proudly boasts an impressive tally of 29 Test centuries, a feat he currently shares with the legendary Sir Don Bradman. In the ODI format, Kohli is just three centuries shy of matching Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI tons. Presently, he stands at 46, and it’s only a matter of time before he rewrites this record as well.
A Unique Record Held By Virat Kohli While Bowling
While Kohli’s talent with the bat has earned him global acclaim, his unique bowling record also warrants recognition. Among contemporary stalwarts like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Mohammed Siraj, Kohli stands alone. He holds the distinction of being the first and only bowler in the world to claim a wicket off the zeroth (0th) ball in international cricket. Remarkably, the wicket appears in Kohli’s column, even though the ball was not officially counted.
This historic event took place in 2011 during a T20 International against England when Kohli stepped up to the bowling crease. He accomplished this extraordinary feat by dismissing Kevin Pietersen, who was stumped by MS Dhoni off a wide delivery. To this day, Kohli remains the sole player to have achieved this unique feat across formats in men’s international cricket. Fast forward to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 game vs Bangladesh, Virat Kohli came on to bowl for India to finish the over of Hardik Pandya.
