Celebrating the 15 years of cricket mastery of King Virat Kohli

Indian star Virat Kohli made his international cricket debut exactly 15 years back in 2008 against Sri Lanka.

“People become legends when they retire. At 30, Kohli has already become a legend.” A man whose legacy, talent, and immense fan following made him the epitome of greatness, bearing the name Kohli, the world’s most renowned brand. The player who made his debut in 2008 has redefined cricket and has secured his name amongst legends Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Brian Lara, and Steve Smith. He has won the title of “ICC Player of the Decade” for the years 2011-2020. He is regarded as “King Kohli” among his fans and cricket lovers. 

On this date in 2008, a young Virat Kohli took his initial steps onto the international stage, making his debut in an ODI match against Sri Lanka. It didn’t take long to establish him as the rightful successor to Sachin Tendulkar for Indian Cricket. This year marks his 15 years of excellence in crafting a sport unlike any other. Starting as the second youngest member of the World Cup-winning team in 2011 and eventually donning the captain’s hat for India, his journey has been a magnificent odyssey. Though he lost his captaincy in recent years his presence can not be neglected for Indian Cricket. 

The 34-year-old has made sure of his consistency in performing across all the formats and also registered his name in the modern “fab four” batting quartet along with Steve Smith from Australia, New Zealand‘ Kane Williamson, and England’s Joe Root. 

A Test maestro

He holds the fifth position in terms of highest test cricket scores for India and ranks 23rd overall, pursuing the all-time records set by India’s cricketing legend, Sachin Tendulkar. His captaincy record for the Indian team is hailed as one of the most outstanding. With him at the helm, he guided the men in blue to 40 victories, 17 defeats, and 11 draws out of a total of 68 matches. This gave the team a winning percentage of 58.82. He emphasized that his captaincy demands a formidable pace bowling attack. The achievements of Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, and Umesh Yadav stand as evidence to validate this assertion.

Brightest ODI Star

Virat Kohli’s prowess shines brightest in ODIs. Across 275 matches, he has so far amassed 12,898 runs at a remarkable average of 57.32, including 46 centuries and 65 half-centuries. Second, only to Sachin Tendulkar in India’s ODI runs chart, he ranks fifth globally. Kohli is also second in ODI centuries, closing in on 50. Among players with 150+ matches, he holds the highest average a testament to his consistency and dedication to his wicket.

Aggressive T20I Attack 

Amidst the prevailing preference for aggressive T20 batting, Virat Kohli has artfully blended caution with situational attack, establishing himself as a T20I powerhouse. Across 115 matches, he amassed 4,008 runs at an average of 52.73 and a strike rate of 137.96. His record includes one century and 37 half-centuries, with a high score of 122*.

Kohli reigns supreme in T20I history with the highest runs, fifty-plus scores, and average. He’s earned the most ‘Man of the Match’ (15) and ‘Man of the Series’ (seven) awards.

In the ICC T20 World Cup, Kohli’s dominance is unrivaled. His 1,141 runs in 27 matches at an average of 81.50 and a strike rate of 131.30, with 14 fifties, make him the tournament’s pinnacle run-scorer. Despite his stellar performances, the T20 World Cup title remains elusive in his impressive collection. Yet, he was honored as the ‘Player of the Tournament’ in the 2014 and 2016 editions.

Virat Kohli’s Exceptional Innings Across Formats

The following glimpses highlight Kohli’s prowess as one of cricket’s greatest. His consistency and adaptability across formats underscore his remarkable legacy.

183 vs Pakistan (Asia Cup, 2012): A stunning 183 off 148 balls under high pressure, steering India to chase down 330.

133 vs Sri Lanka (CB Series, 2012): A match-winning 133* off 86 balls, securing a comfortable victory.

141 vs Australia (Adelaide Test, 2014): Battling a challenging pitch, Kohli’s 141 displayed his determination and skill.

82 vs Australia (T20 World Cup, 2016): An unbeaten 82 off 51 balls in a knockout, driving India to victory.

211 vs New Zealand (Indore Test, 2016): Dominating Test cricket with a double century.

122 vs England (Pune ODI, 2017): A match-winning 122* off 105 balls, leading India to chase 351.

149 and 51 vs England (Edgbaston Test, 2018): Resilient 149 and 51 in challenging overseas conditions.

123 vs Australia (Melbourne Test, 2018): Crucial 123 for a historic series victory.

82 vs Australia (World Cup, 2019): Vital 82 in a must-win ICC Cricket World Cup match.

254 vs South Africa (Pune Test, 2019): Masterful double century contributing to a dominant win.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.