The former Indian captain Virat Kohli is celebrating his 36th birthday today. Exactly a year ago, Kohli scored a dazzling century in the ODI World Cup to mark his 35th birthday. This time, however, there's a sense of concern over what awaits him. He is no longer the dominating force he used to be, and after a rather mediocre outing versus New Zealand, you don't know what to expect when the team embarks on a tour to Australia. Will he turn back the clock and dominate the proceedings? Or will it be a continuation of his lean patch?
Kohli flew back to London after the conclusion of the home season, and he will be flying out to Australia later this month. It was in Australia where he scored a twin ton in Adelaide, a match that kickstarted the golden patch, and fans would be hoping to see the second coming of Kohli. As he celebrates his 36th birthday, we look at seven of his most formidable records that make him a true legend of the game.
Virat Kohli Has Scored More ODI Centuries Than Anyone Else
You may argue his legacy in Tests, but when it comes to ODIs, Kohli remains the undisputed legend of the game, amassing 50 centuries in his glittering career. He broke Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 centuries with an unbeaten 101 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. What makes this moment special is that he did so when his idol Tendulkar was in the stadium.
Virat Kohli Is The Most Successful Captain
Under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, the Indian Test became a force to reckon with. At home, they went on a stretch of impressive dominance where toppling the Indian team became borderline impossible for opponents. Outside of India, they started winning more Tests than they ever had, also clinching the Border Gavaskar trophy twice in Australia.
Kohli Is Fastest To Reach 10K Runs In ODIs
Few batters have terrorised the bowlers as much as Kohli when he was at the peak of his power. He holds the notable distinction of reaching 10k runs in the fewest matches. He now has more than 13k runs , and only five players have scored more than him in one-day cricket.
Virat Kohli Has Won Player of the Series Awards 21 Times
Consistency has been a hallmark of Kohli's career. When he scores runs, he does so in heaps. He has been adjudged as the Player of the Series a whopping 21 times, one more than Sachin Tendulkar. Among active players, no one has won this award more than 12 times.
Most Runs In One Edition of ODI World Cup
The 2023 ODI World Cup saw Virat Kohli returning to his red-hot form. Unfortunately, he will be remembered for his placid knock in the final, but throughout the tournament, he was the most proficient run-machine for India, amassing 765 runs at an average of more than 50.
