Kohli Becomes Second Highest Scorer in International Cricket

Virat Kohli Surpasses Records in International Cricket

Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has ascended to the position of the second highest scorer in all formats of international cricket, following his impressive score of 93 runs in the first ODI match against New Zealand. Kohli surpassed Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara (28,016 runs) on Sunday, now standing second in the list of all-time leading scorers in international cricket, behind fellow countryman Sachin Tendulkar (34,357 runs). Currently, Kohli has accumulated 28,068 runs across Test, ODI, and T20 formats since his debut in 2008.

"Looking back at my entire journey, it is nothing short of a dream come true for me," Kohli stated after being named Player of the Match in Vadodara. "I always knew my capabilities, but I understood that I had to work extremely hard to reach where I am today. God has blessed me with much more than I ever asked for. I reflect on my journey with immense grace and gratitude and feel very proud of it."

His innings in the ODI match helped India chase down a target of 301 runs, winning by four wickets with six balls to spare. However, Kohli was unable to register his 54th ODI century, marking his fifth score of over 50 runs in five matches, including two centuries. "If I'm very honest, the way I'm playing now, I don't think at all about milestones," the former captain remarked.

In his 17th year of international cricket, Kohli continues to reinvent himself. He mentioned that he now aims to make the most of the first 20 balls after entering the field. He emphasized that he has recently adjusted his approach to counterattack early in the innings and put pressure on bowlers. "If the situation is a bit complicated, I rely on myself to counterattack now rather than trying to play defensively," he shared.

Kohli, often referred to as "King Kohli" for his prolific playing style, is now focused solely on the ODI format after he and his fellow cricketer Rohit Sharma, aged 38, retired from T20 and Test cricket. The future of both players is under intense debate, as they both undoubtedly target the ODI World Cup in 2027.