When we think of cricket legends, Virat Kohli’s name stands out as one of the sport’s most consistent and extraordinary players. Known for his appetite for runs, Kohli's journey, especially between 2012 and 2019, saw him dominate across all formats, breaking record after record with an unmatched hunger and relentless discipline. His achievements, especially in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), have carved his place among cricket’s all-time greats. Here, we’ll explore eight world records held by Kohli that are likely to stand the test of time.
Virat Kohli shattered the long-standing record for the most centuries in ODIs, a milestone once held by Sachin Tendulkar for over 25 years. Kohli became the first player in history to breach the 50-century mark in ODIs, setting a new benchmark. Currently, his closest competition among active players is Rohit Sharma, who has scored 31 centuries and is already 37 years old. Kohli’s record is therefore expected to remain unchallenged, representing a remarkable feat in cricket’s history.
Even before breaking records at 9,000 runs, Kohli had already surpassed AB de Villiers’ record for reaching 8,000 ODI runs. Kohli accomplished this feat in just 175 innings, seven innings faster than de Villiers, whose record had stood for two years.
Kohli’s penchant for setting records began early in his career, as he became the fastest player to reach 9,000 ODI runs. This achievement dethroned AB de Villiers, who had previously held the record for a mere eight months. Kohli managed to achieve this milestone in just 194 innings, 11 innings faster than de Villiers.
In 2018, Kohli reached the 10,000-run milestone in just 205 innings, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s previous record by an incredible 54 innings. Kohli’s ability to consistently score runs at such a rapid pace has set a standard that will be difficult for any player to match. Achieving this milestone with a batting average in the late 50s, Kohli has redefined efficiency and reliability in ODI cricket.
Continuing his record-breaking journey, Virat Kohli reached 11,000 ODI runs in just 222 innings. This achievement further highlights his unprecedented hunger for runs. For context, Sachin Tendulkar, who previously held this record, reached the milestone in 276 innings. With such a vast gap between the two, Kohli’s accomplishment here emphasizes his dominance in the game.
Not one to slow down, Kohli continued his historic run by reaching 12,000 ODI runs in a mere 242 innings, breaking another Tendulkar record. Tendulkar needed 300 innings to achieve the same feat. Kohli's journey to this record not only highlights his prolific run-scoring ability but also cements his reputation as one of the most efficient ODI batsmen of all time.
Kohli’s record-breaking spree didn’t end at 12,000 runs; he went on to become the fastest player to score 13,000 ODI runs as well. He achieved this milestone in 267 innings, further widening the gap between himself and previous record-holders. Kohli’s accomplishment here places him among the elite few who have crossed this threshold, and his remarkable pace suggests this record may indeed last a lifetime.
Last but certainly not least, Kohli added another feather to his cap by becoming the fastest player to cross 27,000 runs in international cricket. He reached this milestone in just 594 innings, compared to Sachin Tendulkar’s 623 innings.
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