The 2023 ODI World Cup in India will kick off with a match between India and Australia on Sunday, October 8 in Chennai. With their impressive track record, India is considered the frontrunner for the tournament, with high expectations riding on their former captain Virat Kohli. Known for his unparalleled consistency, Kohli has been a standout performer, amassing an impressive total of 739 runs in ODIs over the past year alone. His remarkable average of 52.78 and a strike rate of 112.99 further solidify his position as a vital player for Team India. Furthermore, Kohli has proven to thrive under pressure in major tournaments like the World Cup.
Since his ODI debut in 2008, Kohli has shattered multiple records and he has the potential to break even more during the current World Cup. Just 76 runs stand between him and reaching 15,000 international runs in Asia, where he currently holds the fourth-highest run scorer title with an impressive average of 57.84. The top three highest run scorers in Asia are Mahela Jayawardene, Sachin Tendulkar, and Kumar Sangakkara. Now let’s examine three other notable milestones that Kohli could achieve in this World Cup.
3. Virat Kohli can complete 11,000 international runs at No. 3
Virat Kohli has claimed the No. 3 batting position as his own with the number of runs he has scored. Kohli has dominated both the white-ball formats when batting at one down, even if he bats at No. 4 in Tests.
In fact, when it comes to scoring runs at No. 3 in international cricket, he ranks second. In 214 innings of play at the aforementioned position, Kohli has amassed 10,962 runs while batting and is currently 38 runs short of reaching 11,000 runs.
In international cricket, only Ricky Ponting (12,662) has amassed more runs than Kohli when batting at No. 3.
2. Kohli can complete 26,000 international runs
Additionally, Kohli has a fantastic potential to increase India’s total number of runs scored in international cricket during the forthcoming competition.
Few batters have had as much success in as many different forms as he has. During the Border-Gavasker Test series against Australia a few months back, the Delhi-native reached his 25,000th career run in the international game.
The contemporary icon will be looking to surpass 26,000 international runs in the upcoming innings since he just needs 233 more to hit the mark.
Over the course of his 563 at-bats in all three forms, Kohli has amassed 25,767 runs at a remarkable average of 53.68. Kohli will become only the fourth cricketer to surpass the 26,000-run milestone after scoring 233 more runs.
1. Kohli can break Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time ODI centuries record
Few people could have predicted that someone would overtake Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI hundreds, much less come close to it.
However, Virat Kohli, who really cherishes amassing hundreds for enjoyment, enters the scene, enticing and ever so hungry.
With 47 ODI hundreds, Kohli is really in a strong position to exceed Tendulkar’s 49-ton total. Kohli would overtake his hero to become the first person to score 50 ODI hundreds if he has an outstanding 2023 ODI World Cup campaign and scores up to three tons.
