Indian cricket star Virat Kohli, a powerhouse in international cricket, turns 36 today. Known for his consistent performance, grit, and athleticism, Kohli has reshaped the record books with his remarkable achievements. As fans and players around the world celebrate his journey, here’s a look at 36 records that define King Kohli’s legacy.
The Batting Legend in ODIs
- Most ODI Centuries – Kohli tops the list with 50 centuries in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), the most by any player in this format.
- Record Runs in an ODI Series – Kohli set a new record in 2023, scoring a staggering 765 runs in a single ODI series.
- Fastest to 13,000 Runs – Kohli reached 13,000 ODI runs in just 267 innings, setting a record previously held by Sachin Tendulkar.
- Most Half-Centuries in T20Is – With unmatched consistency, Kohli holds the record for the most half-centuries in T20 Internationals.
- Consistent Centurion Against One Team – Kohli has scored more ODI centuries against individual teams than any other player, showing his dominance over opponents.
Dominance Across Formats
- Fourth-Most Runs in International Cricket – Kohli has amassed 27,134 international runs, and he’s closing in on the second spot.
- First to Score Over 20,000 Runs in a Decade – No other batsman has scored as many runs in a single decade as Kohli.
- Fastest to 1,000 Runs in a Calendar Year – He reached the milestone of 1,000 ODI runs in record time in multiple seasons.
- First with Three Consecutive ODI Centuries Against Two Teams – Kohli’s consistency shines through as the only player to achieve this feat.
- All Three Major ICC Awards in a Year – Kohli is the only cricketer to win ICC’s major individual awards in a single year.
Captaincy Records and Leadership Impact
- Five Consecutive Half-Centuries as World Cup Captain – Kohli is the only captain to achieve five consecutive 50+ scores in the ODI World Cup.
- Scoring 1,000+ Runs in Tests Across Three Calendar Years – Kohli’s reliability in Test cricket reflects his ability to perform year after year.
- Most Double Centuries as Captain in Tests – Kohli leads with the highest number of double centuries by a Test captain.
- Top Runs in an IPL Season – Kohli holds the record for the highest runs in a single season of the Indian Premier League.
- Fastest to 3,000 ODI Runs as Captain – As an ODI skipper, Kohli reached 3,000 runs faster than any other captain.
Special Achievements Against Specific Teams
- Most Centuries Against Australia on Indian Soil – Kohli has scored more centuries against Australia in home ODIs than any other player.
- Fastest to 30, 35, and 40 ODI Centuries – Kohli’s century milestones in ODIs have come quicker than for any other batsman.
- First Indian to Score an ODI Century Against Pakistan in World Cup – Kohli stands as the only Indian to reach this milestone in World Cup history.
- Most Runs in a Bilateral Series – Kohli’s 558 runs in a bilateral series remains a record in international cricket.
- First to Score 500 Runs in a Bilateral Series – Kohli became the first cricketer to score over 500 runs in a single bilateral series.
Test Records and Longevity in Red-Ball Cricket
- Most Follow-Ons Enforced as Indian Captain in Tests – Kohli leads the list of Indian captains to have enforced the follow-on in Test matches.
- Most 150+ Scores as Captain in Tests – Kohli’s high scores in Test matches as captain are a testament to his longevity and impact.
- Fastest to 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, 12,000, and 13,000 ODI Runs – Kohli has consistently set benchmarks for crossing these milestones in ODIs.
- Four Double Centuries in Consecutive Test Series – Kohli is the only batsman to achieve four double centuries in consecutive Test series.
- Most Double Centuries by an Indian in Tests – Among Indian batsmen, Kohli has scored the most double centuries in Test cricket.
- Fastest to 4,000 Runs as Captain in Tests – He reached this milestone faster than any other Test captain.
T20 International Records and Milestones
- Top Scorer in T20 World Cup History – Kohli holds the record for the most runs scored in the history of the T20 World Cup.
- Most Player of the Series Awards in International Cricket – Kohli has consistently proven himself across formats, with the highest Player of the Series awards in all of cricket.
- Most Runs in a T20 World Cup – Kohli scored the highest runs in a single season of the T20 World Cup, further enhancing his legacy.
- Most Player of the Match Awards in T20Is – Kohli has the most awards for Player of the Match in T20 cricket, marking his influence on the format.
- Record for Consecutive Half-Centuries in ODI World Cup as Captain – Kohli is the only captain to hit five consecutive half-centuries in World Cup matches.
Milestones Across Series and Competitions
- First Batsman with Three Consecutive ODI Centuries as Captain – Kohli achieved this unprecedented feat in ODI cricket as captain.
- Most Runs in a Single ODI World Cup Season – Kohli’s extraordinary performance in a World Cup season earned him this record.
- Most Centuries Against a Single Team in ODIs – Kohli leads with the highest number of centuries scored against a single team in ODI cricket.
- First to Score 150+ in Tests as Captain on Multiple Occasions – Kohli has repeatedly demonstrated his scoring power with 150+ scores as captain.
- Fastest Indian to Reach a Century in T20Is – Kohli’s record in T20Is further extends his impact across formats and levels of cricket.
Virat Kohli’s records speak volumes about his determination and unmatched skills in cricket. From ODIs to T20s to Test matches, Kohli has set new standards in every format, inspiring millions around the world. As he turns 36, his legendary journey is a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence and a source of pride for Indian cricket fans everywhere.