Virat Kohli overtakes Mahela Jayawardene to become 4th highest run-scorer in international cricket

Virat Kohli took India to victory against Bangladesh with his brilliant century in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

India batter Virat Kohli went past Sri Lanka legend Mahela Jayawardene in the list of all-time run-getters in international cricket. He achieved the feat during his unbeaten ton in the India vs Bangladesh ICC World Cup 2023.

This encounter was played at the MCA stadium in Pune on October 19, 2023. Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bat first. Najmul Hossain Shanto led Bangladesh side in place of injured Shakib Al Hasan.

Tanzid Hasan (51) and Litton Das (66) put up 93 runs for the first wicket to get their team off to a fantastic start. Bangladesh then lost a few wickets, including both openers, as well as Najmul Shanto (8) and Mehidy Hasan (3). Mushfiqur Rahim scored 38 runs but was caught at backward point by Ravindra Jadeja.

However, Nasum Ahmed (14) and Mahmudullah (46 with three fours and three sixes) led Bangladesh to a score of 256/8 in 50 overs. Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah each grabbed two wickets for India.

Virat Kohli slams unbeaten century as India make it 4 in 4 in CWC 2023

India had another flying start courtesy of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. While Gill started cautiously, Rohit went after the bowlers, scoring 48 in 40 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes. Gill made his maiden World Cup fifty, scoring 53 with 5 fours and 2 sixes.

After these two got out, Virat Kohli anchored the chase and had a small partnership with Shreyas Iyer (19). However, he continued with KL Rahul (34*) for the company and, in the end, made the best effort to reach to his century, even refusing singles.

Kohli completed his 48th ODI century in 97 balls with six fours and four sixes and finished the game with a six in the 42nd over. India won the match with 7 wickets and 51 balls remaining.

During his knock, Virat Kohli also went past Mahela Jayawardene to become the fourth-highest run-getter in international cricket. Jayawardene made 25957 runs in 652 games from 1997 to 2015 for Sri Lanka.

With this century, Kohli now has 26026 runs in 511 matches at an average of 53.99 with 78 centuries.

Here is the list of the top five highest run-getters in international cricket:

1. Sachin Tendulkar- 34357 runs in 664 matches

2. Kumar Sangakkara- 28016 runs in 594 matches

3. Ricky Ponting- 27483 runs in 560 matches

4. Virat Kohli- 26026 runs in 511 matches

5. Mahela Jayawardene- 25957 runs in 652 matches