Virat Kohli completes 15 years in international cricket | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: On this day in 2008, 15 years ago, Indian batsman Virat Kohli took his first steps on the international stage, marking his debut in an ODI match against Sri Lanka.
A few months before the Sri Lanka series, Virat had etched his name in the annals of history by leading India to victory in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. Like many U19 captains before him, he had emphatically made his case to grace the Indian cap in the future. He amassed 235 runs in six matches at an impressive average of 47.00, including a century against the West Indies during the group stage.
Along with his Delhi compatriot Gautam Gambhir, Virat opened the batting against Sri Lanka but managed to contribute only 12 runs.

Virat Kohli (BCCI Photo)
Despite this initial challenge, the young prodigy finished his maiden series with commendable numbers – scoring 159 runs in five matches at an average of 31.80, securing his opening half-century in the fifth ODI.

While many had predicted Virat’s international success based on his talent and U19 achievements, the extent of his achievements over the next few years was astounding, even to his staunchest supporters.

Over the years, Virat has established himself as a model of consistency across formats, forming the cornerstone of the modern-day ‘Fab Four’ batting quartet along with Australia’s Steve Smith, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson and New Zealand’s Joe Root. England.
Since his debut, Virat has played in 111 test matches. After making his Test debut against the West Indies in 2011, he overcame the initial innings, where he managed just 76 runs in five innings, to cement his status as a major ambassador for red-ball cricket. Amassing 8,676 runs at an average of 49.29 in 187 innings, he boasts 29 centuries, 29 fifties and a personal best of 254*.
His Test tally places him as the fifth highest run-scorer for India and 23rd highest overall, just behind the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record of 15,921 runs in 200 matches with 51 centuries. Among Indian players, Virat is fourth in terms of centuries scored in Test cricket. Notably, he has achieved the feat of seven double centuries, the highest by any Indian player.
Virat’s leadership legacy in Test cricket is remarkable. Having captained India in 68 Test matches, he secured 40 wins, suffered 17 losses and saw 11 draws, reflecting a win percentage of 58.82. He led India to become a formidable force on home soil, orchestrating memorable Test matches and series triumphs in England, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia and the West Indies.

Virat Kohli (AP Photo)
His tenure also fostered the development of a world-class pace bowling unit including Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Siraj. A particularly notable achievement was guiding India to secure five consecutive ICC World Test Championship matches from 2017 to 2021.
Virat’s most dominant form is One Day Internationals (ODIs). In 275 ODIs, he has amassed a staggering 12,898 runs at an average of 57.32. This feat includes 46 centuries and 65 half-centuries in 265 innings, with a highest score of 183.
His ODI record places him as India’s second highest run-getter, behind Sachin Tendulkar’s 18,426 runs in 463 matches, including 49 centuries. On the global stage, Virat ranks fifth in terms of total runs scored. Additionally, he holds the second highest number of ODI centuries and is still chasing a half-century of ODI centuries. His average of over 50 among ODI players with at least 150 matches underlines his unwavering consistency and the value he places on keeping his wicket.
Virat’s milestones in ODI cricket are outstanding – he is the third fastest to reach 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000 and 12,000 ODI runs.
In his role as an ODI captain, Virat’s record is remarkable. Leading the team in 95 games, he won 65, lost 27, drew one and saw two games end without a result. This translates to a win percentage of 68.42.
Virat was a key part of the team that secured the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. He led the team to the semi-finals of the 2015 and 2019 Cricket World Cups as well as the final of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
In 26 World Cup matches, he amassed 1,030 runs at an average of 46.81 in 26 innings, scoring two centuries and six half-centuries, with a highest score of 107. He also excelled in the ICC Champions Trophy, scoring 529 runs in 13 matches at an average 88.16, accompanied by five half-centuries in 12 innings. However, his inconsistency in knockout matches attracted criticism.

Virat Kohli (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
In an era where the T20 format emphasizes aggressive batting, Virat deftly combines strategic aggression with adaptability to situations, making him a towering figure in T20I cricket. Over 115 T20Is, he has amassed 4,008 runs at an average of 52.73 and a strike rate of 137.96. With a century and 37 half-centuries to his credit, his highest T20I score is an unbeaten 122*.
Virat boasts the highest run total, most half-century scores and the highest average in the history of T20I cricket. He also claims the most ‘Man of the Match’ (15) and ‘Man of the Series’ awards (seven) in T20Is.
In the realm of ICC T20 World Cups, Virat’s stature as the all-time leading scorer is undisputed. His tally of 1,141 runs in 27 matches and 25 innings at an average of 81.50, with a strike rate of 131.30 and 14 fifties, places him as the most reliable player in the history of the tournament. He has performed impressively in the knockout stages of the tournament, amassing half-centuries in all these matches. Notably, he won the ‘Player of the Tournament’ title in both the 2014 and 2016 editions of the tournament.
Overall, Virat’s all form stats are amazing. Amidst the advent of T20I cricket and the increased workload, Virat’s consistent performance in terms of runs and performances across all formats positions him as arguably the best all-format batsman to ever grace the game. Over 501 matches, he has scored an impressive 25,582 runs at an average of 53.63. In 559 innings, he has scored 76 centuries and 131 half-centuries, with a highest score of 254*.

His stature as India’s second-highest run-scorer and fifth-highest overall in international cricket puts him on course to challenge the records set by his idol Sachin Tendulkar – 34,357 international runs, 664 international appearances and 100 international centuries. Additionally, he holds the distinction of receiving the most Player of the Series awards in the history of the game.
These remarkable achievements culminated in Virat receiving the ICC Player of the Decade award for the period from 2011 to 2020.