Virat Kohli, the prolific Indian batter, has etched his name in the annals of cricket history by becoming the second-most-capped international cricketer for India across all formats. During the first Test against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Kohli marked his 536th international appearance, surpassing former captain MS Dhoni’s tally of 535 matches.
Kohli’s illustrious international career began in 2008 with an ODI debut in Sri Lanka. Since then, he has amassed an astonishing 27,041 runs across 115 Tests, 295 ODIs, and 125 T20Is. His exceptional leadership skills have also been evident, as he has captained India in 213 matches, including 68 Tests, 95 ODIs, and 50 T20Is.
Kohli’s remarkable achievement places him behind only the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the record for the most international caps (664) for India. Among active cricketers, Kohli is followed by India captain Rohit Sharma (486 caps) and Ravindra Jadeja (346 caps).
In terms of Test appearances for India, Kohli is tied for eighth with 116 caps. He has accumulated 8947 runs in the longer format, just 53 runs shy of becoming the fourth Indian to complete 9000 Test runs after Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.
Kohli’s consistency and longevity have been remarkable. He became the fastest player to reach 27,000 international runs during the second Test against Bangladesh last month, surpassing Tendulkar’s record of 623 innings. Kohli achieved this feat in just 594 innings, making him the only cricketer to reach 27,000 international runs in under 600 outings.
Kohli’s achievements are a testament to his unwavering dedication, exceptional talent, and unwavering determination. He continues to inspire generations of cricketers and fans alike, and his legacy as one of the greatest batsmen of all time is secure.
