 "Virat Kohli had recently featured in the three-match ODI series in Australia, where he scored a match-winning half-century in the third match against the Mitchell Marsh-led hosts. AP")
Virat Kohli is still going strong at the highest level of cricket in his late thirties, even if in just one format, turning 37 on Wednesday. Kohli has been the heartbeat of the Indian team ever since he made his senior debut in 2008, shortly after leading the country to victory in the U-19 World Cup.
Not only has he turned out to be among the greatest batters in the history of the sport, breaking multiple records along the way including those belonging to his idol Sachin Tendulkar, he has also left behind a rich legacy as a leader.
Kohli, after all, is India’s most successful Test captain of all time with 40 wins in 68 matches, as well as the fourth-most successful captain in the history of the five-day format.
And it’s not just international cricket where he’s left his mark; he has also been the face of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru for more than a decade now, having remained part of the team since IPL’s maiden season in 2008.
Records that cement Kohli’s legacy one of cricket’s GOATs
On the occasion of his 37th birthday, we take a look at some of the world records that currently are in his possession, as well as some of his other key achievements:
– Kohli holds the record for most centuries in the ODI format (51), having surpassed Tendulkar during the 2023 ICC World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.
– When it comes to centuries across formats, Kohli is second only to Tendulkar’s century of centuries with 82 in Tests, ODIs and T20Is combined.
– Kohli holds the records for the fastest batter to 25,000 international runs , once again breaking a record that was previously held by Tendulkar.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts– Kohli also holds the distinction of being the leading run-scorer in the history of the IPL with 8,667 in 267 matches at a career strike rate of 132.86. He tops the lists for most centuries (8) as well as most half-centuries (63).
– Kohli has also earned the reputation of being a ‘Chase Master’ in men’s ODIs, with 28 of his 51 ODI tons coming while steering the Men in Blue towards a target – 24 of those centuries leading to a victory.
– He is also the leading run-scorer in the history of the T20 World Cup with 1,292 runs in 35 appearances.
‘Once a King, always a King’
Here’s how former and current cricketers as well as his fans wished Kohli on his 37th birthday: