There are many talented players all around the world, getting recognised every now and then for the splendid play they display in national and international formats of the game of Cricket. Some show extraordinary skills, some extremely work hard, some create history, and some become part of history.
In this post, we are going to talk about one such player who generations will remember and who will always be talked about for the passion and magic he brought to life with his classic gameplay. Virat Kohli, the epitome of style and aura, has gained immense popularity and a fan following nationwide.
Virat Kohli: The King of Cricket
Virat Kohli is a man who has ruled Indian cricket with extraordinary gameplay and world-class skills.
His cricket journey is inspiring and has made him known as the “King of Cricket”.
To be able to remain on top, one must show consistency and a constant display of skills and this is what Virat has expertise in.
Coming from a humble background and the spirit of Delhi, Virat has shown some great determination, and his journey to the top has inspired many budding cricket players, who now have posters of Virat in their rooms.
Why is he, King Kohli?
Virat Kohli has redefined Indian cricket and without a doubt, is the “King of Cricket.”
The enthusiasm and aggression he possesses have led India to be on the winning end multiple times.
He has had great records since the start of his cricket career; he has a total of 26,733 runs scored, which includes 80 centuries across all formats of international cricket and 7 centuries in the Indian Premier League (IPL), displaying his world-class play.
Virat’s constant display of skills, strokeplay, perfect timing, and the run machine that he has, have made him a strong and reliable player on the field.
This has all made him the king of cricket.
Related Read: Who is the GOAT of Cricket?
Virat Kohli: Batting Statistics in Cricket
Let’s get straight into the stats of Virat’s batting career. Being a star player on the team and known as the King of Cricket, Virat has some great achievements under his name.
| Format | Current Rankings | Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | Centuries (100s) | Fifties (50s) |
| Test | 9 | 113 | 8848 | 254 | 49.15 | 55.56 | 29 | 30 |
| ODI | 3 | 292 | 13848 | 183 | 58.67 | 93.58 | 50 | 72 |
| T20I | 48 | 117 | 4037 | 122* | 51.75 | 138.15 | 1 | 37 |
| IPL | – | 241 | 7466 | 113 | 37.70 | 130.29 | 7 | 52 |
Virat’s Career: Early Years
In Delhi on November 5, 1988, Virat was born and it was no shocker that his dedication towards cricket was very evident at such a tender age.
His family, especially his father, saw his passion and supported him by getting him enrolled at West Delhi Cricket Academy at just the age of nine.
This was the start of Virat’s cricket endeavours. Under the guidance of his coach Rajkumar Sharma at West Delhi Cricket Academy, Virat understood the game and honed his skills.
His recognition came when he started representing the Delhi team at various age groups. Here began Kohli’s rise through the ranks with determination and dedication.
The performance he gave in domestic cricket earned him a spot on the Indian Under-19 team, and this is where Kohli’s international career began.
- Virat’s international debut in 2008 against Sri Lanka in an ODI match was a great start, where he showcased why his selection was the correct choice.
- The breakthrough was the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. Where the world recognised his talent, the pure class he showed, the skilled shots, and his pivotal innings.
Virat Kohli: Captaincy and Leadership
Indian cricket team captaincy unlocked a new chapter in Virat’s cricket career.
Kohli, known for his aggressive approach, led the team with passion and vigour, inspiring his teammates to level up their game.
It was the first time India played so dominantly, giving an equal push to the opponent team; to date, it remains legendary.
Here’s an overview of his captaincy journey:
Test Captaincy (2014-2021)
- 2014 was the year when Kohli took the test captaincy from MS Dhoni in December.
- The highlight of the captaincy was the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a historic win for India against Australia.
- Under Kohli’s leadership, India achieved the number-one ranking in Test cricket.
- To top that, India under Kohli’s captaincy won 12 consecutive Test series at home, which is a record-breaking streak.
ODI Captaincy (2013-2017)
- Virat Kohli was the captain of the Indian ODI team in several series, and it was in the years between 2013 and 2017 that he successfully led the team for almost a significant time.
- It was his captaincy under which India reached the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017 by displaying a great game and spirit.
T20I Captaincy (2017-2021)
- Virat Kohli served as the captain of the Indian T20 team. From the year 2017 to 2021, displaying commendable leadership.
- This resulted in India winning 30 out of 50 matches under his captaincy.
Also Read: Virat Kohli IPL Runs
Virat Kohli: Records and Achievements
Virat Kohli has notable records and achievements throughout his astonishing cricket career.
Here are some of the key highlights:
- Runs: Virat Kohli holds the record for the fastest player to score 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, and 11,000 runs in the ODI (One Day International) format.
- Fastest Century: He even holds the record for the fastest century by an Indian batter in ODIs.
- Most Double Centuries: Virat has marked his presence by scoring a whopping six-time double-century. Highest by an Indian batsman in Test cricket.
- Fastest 20,000 Runs: In just 417 innings, Virat scored 20,000 international runs, making him the only player to do so.
- Tremendous Average: Kohli is the only batsman to have an average of over 50, and this includes all three formats of the game.
- Most Individual Runs in the IPL: In 2016, Virat made 973 runs in a single IPL season, which remains the highest to date.
Other Achievements include
- Virat has been titled ICC Cricketer of the Year multiple times.
- This is another note worth achieving; he holds the record for scoring the most centuries during successful ODI run-chases.
- This was the key highlight of his captaincy career, as he led India to its first-ever Test series victory in Australia in 2018–19.
- He is among the highest run scorers for India in both Tests and ODIs, with numerous match-winning performances to his name.
These stats not only display what a world-class player he is but also highlight his consistency in all formats, whether ODI, T-20, or Test.
Undoubtedly, Virat from time to time proved to be a great batsman of his time and also displayed great leadership when required.
Virat vs Other Contenders for ‘King of Cricket’
In recent times, Pakistani cricket team captain Babar Azam has gained praise for having the potential to be next in line. Babar Azam has shown comparable runs across all formats to be in such a position as Virat Kohli.
Also Read: Innings Break Time in ODIs, Test, T20Is and IPL Matches
Virat Kohli’s cricket journey is nothing short of legendary. His bold strategy will be talked about for ages, and his aggressive, passionate approach will inspire budding cricketers. The norm he broke and the success story he owns are all because of the consistent hard work he put into improving his game. His journey is an inspiration to many.
While other talented players like Babar Azam have shown potential, Kohli’s impact on the game remains unparalleled. His records for the fastest runs in ODIs and most centuries in successful chases highlight his extraordinary abilities.
Virat Kohli’s legacy will continue to influence cricket for generations to come. His remarkable achievements and contributions to the sport have rightfully earned him the title of the King of Cricket, and his journey serves as a testament to what can be achieved with passion, talent, and unwavering commitment.
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