Virat Kohli: The King of Cricket
Former Indian captain and current world number one batsman, Virat Kohli, is widely recognized as the king of cricket. He has dominated all formats of the game for the past 10-12 years, amassing an incredible 77 centuries overall.
Kohli’s Record Before the 2023 World Cup
| Format | Matches | Runs | Best Score | Average | Centuries / Fifties |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 111 | 8676 | 254* | 49.29 | 29 / 29 |
| ODIs | 281 | 13083 | 183 | 57.38 | 47 / 66 |
| T20Is | 115 | 4008 | 122* | 52.73 | 1 / 37 |
Kohli made his debut on August 18, 2008. He helped India win the 2011 World Cup and has made the number 3 batting position his own since then. By the time of the 2023 ODI World Cup, he had scored a remarkable 13,083 runs in 281 matches with an impressive average of 57.38.
He holds the record for the most centuries against a single team, with 10 centuries against Sri Lanka in ODIs, followed by nine centuries against the West Indies. Kohli is also the fastest batsman to score 8000, 9000, 10,000, and 11,000 runs in ODIs.
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Kohli’s Centuries Against Opponents
| Opponent | Centuries |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 1 |
| Australia | 16 |
| Bangladesh | 6 |
| England | 8 |
| New Zealand | 8 |
| Pakistan | 3 |
| South Africa | 7 |
| Sri Lanka | 15 |
| West Indies | 12 |
| Zimbabwe | 1 |
More than just his records, Kohli has created a sense of hope among Indian cricket fans, much like Sachin Tendulkar did. Fans believe India can win as long as Kohli is at the crease. He is an expert at chasing targets, averaging over 60 in such situations, with 26 centuries and 36 fifties before the 2023 World Cup.
Some of his most memorable performances include his 183 runs against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup, his centuries against Australia in 2013, and his unforgettable chase of 320 runs in just 37 overs during the Commonwealth Bank Series, where he scored an unbeaten 133.
Batsman with the Highest Average in ODI Run Chases
| Player | Team | Innings | Runs | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | IND | 149 | 7580 | 64.78 |
| AB de Villiers | SA | 103 | 4204 | 56.81 |
| Mike Bevan | AUS | 81 | 2882 | 56.5 |
| Joe Root | ENG | 72 | 2933 | 55.33 |
| Michael Clarke | AUS | 94 | 2696 | 53.92 |
In T20Is, Kohli has been part of 39 successful chases, averaging 90 with 16 fifties. Notable innings include his highest score of 183 against Pakistan and quick hundreds against Australia.
While Kohli’s Test stats may not shine as brightly as his white-ball performances, they are still impressive. He has scored 8676 runs in 111 matches with an average of 49.29. He reached 7000 runs in Tests in just 138 matches and led India during one of its most successful Test eras.
Although he didn’t win an ICC trophy as captain, Kohli was still an excellent leader. He captained India in 68 Tests, winning 40 matches, with a win percentage of 59.
Kohli’s Captaincy Stats
| Format | Matches | Wins | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 68 | 40 | 59% |
| ODIs | 95 | 65 | — |
| T20Is | 50 | 30 | — |
Kohli ranks second behind MS Dhoni for the most runs scored as captain, with 5449 runs.
The King of Cricket in IPL
In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Virat Kohli again holds the title of the king of cricket. Despite not winning the IPL trophy as a player or captain, his IPL career has been remarkable.
Kohli’s IPL Stats
| Matches | Runs | Best Score | Average | Centuries / Fifties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 237 | 7263 | 113 | 37.25 | 7 / 50 |
Kohli has played in the IPL since its first season, scoring over 7000 runs in 237 matches. He averages 37.25 with a strike rate of 130.02, boasting seven centuries and 50 half-centuries. His best season was in 2016, where he scored 973 runs, including four centuries and seven fifties.
Who is the New King of Cricket?
While no one has definitively taken this title, Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan, is often mentioned. He has emerged as a talented batsman in all formats and reached 10,000 runs in just 228 innings, four fewer than Kohli.
Other names like Steve Smith from Australia and Joe Root from England are also considered top batsmen in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
Who is the King of T20 Cricket?
Although Kohli excels in all formats, Chris Gayle is the real king of T20 cricket. The former captain of the West Indies and Kohli’s teammate at Royal Challengers Bangalore has made T20 cricket exciting.
Gayle’s T20 Stats
| Matches | Runs | Best Score | Average | Centuries / Fifties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 463 | 14562 | 175* | 36.22 | 22 / 88 |
Gayle has scored over 14,500 runs in 463 T20 matches, including 22 centuries and 88 fifties. His unbeaten 175 against Pune Warriors India remains an iconic T20 performance.
His ability to read the bowler’s deliveries early and his strength make him a valuable asset in T20 leagues around the world. He has played for various teams in competitions like the IPL, PSL, CPL, BBL, and BPL.
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