Published By: Saksham Mishra

Virat Kohli's approaching milestones in intl cricket

Many believe that Virat Kohli will go on to break all standing records in ODI cricket, even that of Sachin Tendulkar, which seemed almost impossible when Tendulkar was in his prime.

When Virat Kohli made his international debut against Sri Lanka at Dambulla in 2008, many knew of his potential. However, that he will go on to become the most celebrated Indian batsman and break the records of even the 'God of cricket' Sachin Tendulkar was hardly anticipated.

But Kohli grew from strength to strength and has now become not only the best Indian batsman but among the best in world cricket.

In 2018, Kohli breached the 10000-run mark in one-day internationals during the second ODI against the Windies at Vizag. He became the fastest to reach 10000 ODI runs in terms of innings. Kohli took 205 ODI innings to reach the feat as opposed to Tendulkar’s 259.

The Indian captain became only the 4th Indian and 13th batsman overall to scale the 10k mountain. The skipper also holds the record for being the fastest to 8000 and 9000 runs in one-day internationals and is the fastest Indian to complete 4000 runs on home soil.

Instead of slowing down post the milestone, Kohli has only sped up and is now set to break several more records.

With 21901 runs from 416 international matches at an average of 56.15 and a strike rate of 80.22, Kohli is just a few runs short of overtaking Brian Lara's tally of 22358 runs in international cricket, which will be some achievement.

Kohli is with 7240 runs in test cricket, and is a couple of series away from getting past the 8000-run mark. From 145 innings, Kohli boasts of an average of 53.62 with 27 tons, 22 half-centuries and has the best of 254*. He will join an elite club of Indians to go past 8000 test runs which currently includes legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag.

Virat Kohli has scored 11867 runs in ODIs and needs just 133 runs to become the sixth player to reach the 12000-run milestone. With 43 tons from 248 ODIs, Kohli is already the second-highest century maker in ODIs, having overtaken greats like Ricky Ponting and Sanath Jayasuriya.

It will be a massive achievement when he overtakes Tendulkar's tally of 49 ODI tons to reign supreme, and also has a good shot at ending up as the top-run scorer in international cricket across the board.