NEW DELHI: Star India batter Virat Kohli took to social media platform on Friday to express his gratitude to the almighty that guided his journey through his illustrious 15-year cricketing career which started on the same day in the year 2008 against Sri Lanka in an ODI match.
Kohli was an integral part of the Indian teams that secured victory in the 2011 ICC World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. The team also reached the semifinals of the 2015 and 2019 World Cups and the final of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
Virat shared his thoughts on Instagram captioning it: "Forever grateful".
According to ESPNCricinfo, since 2011, Kohli has been a stalwart for India in 111 Test matches. His journey began with his Test debut against West Indies in 2011, where he triumphed over the initial challenges of his first tour, during which he managed just 76 runs in five innings.
However, he rapidly rose to become one of the most prominent advocates of Test cricket. Over the course of 187 innings, he has compiled 8,676 runs at an average of 49.29, featuring an impressive tally of 29 centuries and 29 half-centuries, with his highest score being an unbeaten 254.
Kohli's Test career places him as the fifth-highest scorer for India and the 23rd overall. While he trails the all-time record held by Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs in 200 matches with 51 centuries), Kohli's Test centuries rank fourth among Indian players, and he also boasts seven double centuries, which is a record for an Indian player.
Dominating the ODI format, Kohli has achieved remarkable success. Across 275 ODIs, he has amassed 12,898 runs at an average of 57.32. This impressive record includes 46 centuries and 65 half-centuries in 265 innings, with a highest score of 183.
His ODI accomplishments position him as India's second-highest run-scorer in the format, trailing Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs in 463 matches with 49 centuries). Globally, he stands fifth in terms of overall ODI runs and has the second-highest number of ODI centuries, with the pursuit of achieving a half-century of ODI tons.
Kohli's captaincy in Test matches has crafted a remarkable legacy. Leading India in 68 Test matches, he achieved 40 victories, suffered 17 defeats, and secured 11 draws, amounting to an impressive win percentage of 58.82.
Even in the era of T20 cricket that emphasizes attacking batting, Kohli has masterfully balanced his approach to encompass both conservatism and situation-based aggression, positioning himself as a significant force in T20 internationals. Over 115 T20Is, he has compiled 4,008 runs at an average of 52.73 and a strike rate of 137.96. Within this record, he has notched one century and 37 half-centuries, with his highest score being an unbeaten 122.
Kohli's T20I achievements stand as the highest in terms of runs, fifty-plus scores, and average in the history of T20 internationals. Additionally, he holds the record for the most 'Man of the Match' awards (15) and 'Man of the Series' awards (seven) in T20Is.
(With ANI inputs)
