Indian cricket stalwart Virat Kohli has achieved a significant milestone, becoming the second men's batter to cross 15,000 runs in One Day International (ODI) cricket. He accomplished this feat during India's ongoing chase of 296 against the West Indies in the ODI series opener at the Greenfield International Stadium. Kohli reached the landmark in style, swivelling to pull a short ball from Alzarri Joseph that raced away to the deep midwicket fence.
Kohli, 37, achieved this milestone in 315 innings, making him the fastest men's batter in history to reach 15,000 ODI runs. This surpasses the record of Sachin Tendulkar, who crossed the 15,000 runs mark in his 350th innings in 2007. Tendulkar finished his ODI career in 2012 with 18,426 runs from 463 matches. Kohli's achievement is a testament to his consistent performance and ability to reach run landmarks quickly.
The milestone is part of a long list of records for Kohli, who has made a habit of reaching run landmarks faster than anyone else in his ODI career. He became the fastest to 10,000 ODI runs in 2018, getting there in 205 innings. Kohli also holds the record for the quickest route to 8,000, 9,000, 11,000, 12,000, 13,000, and 14,000 runs in the 50-over format internationally.
Kohli's achievement has drawn comparisons with other cricket legends. Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara, with 14,234 runs, is the only other batter to have gone past 14,000 in ODI cricket. Ricky Ponting (13,704) and Sanath Jayasuriya (13,430) complete the top five on the all-time list of run-getters. Kohli's consistency and performance have solidified his position among the greatest batters in the sport.
This achievement is also significant in the context of Kohli's ongoing career. He had already taken one of Tendulkar's most cherished records when he struck his 50th ODI hundred during the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup semi-final against New Zealand. Kohli now has 54 ODI centuries, the most by any batter in a single format. With his current form, it is likely that Kohli will continue to break records and achieve new milestones.
Kohli's record-breaking performance has garnered significant attention and praise. His ability to consistently perform at a high level has made him one of the most successful batters in the sport. As he prepares to play in the upcoming World Cup, cricket fans will be watching closely to see if he can continue his impressive form and achieve even more records.
As Kohli continues to play and achieve new milestones, his legacy in the sport will be cemented. With 54 ODI centuries and over 15,000 runs, Kohli has solidified his position as one of the greatest batters of all time. His dedication and perseverance have made him a role model for aspiring cricketers, and his achievements will continue to inspire fans around the world.
Key points
- Virat Kohli is the second men's batter to cross 15,000 ODI runs, after Sachin Tendulkar.
