The year was 1983, and India found itself in dire straits in a World Cup match against Zimbabwe. The openers, Sunil Gavaskar and Kris Srikkanth departed without troubling the scorers, leaving India at a perilous 17 for 5. It was a situation that seemed almost impossible.
But then, in stepped Kapil Dev, the charismatic all-rounder and captain of the Indian team. In a display of sheer grit and determination, Kapil Dev played an unforgettable innings, scoring an astonishing 175 not out. This iconic knock not only rescued India from a precarious position but also propelled them to a winning total of 266/8. It remains one of the most memorable innings in World Cup history and a testament to Kapil Dev’s leadership and batting prowess.
Fast forward four decades and history seemed to repeat itself, albeit with a modern twist. In the 2023 World Cup, Team India faced a batting collapse reminiscent of the 1983 edition. Openers Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan, like Gavaskar and Srikkanth before them, failed to open their accounts, leaving India reeling at 2/3 within just 1.6 overs.
However, in this moment of crisis, Virat Kohli, often hailed as the ‘chase master,’ rose to the occasion. Kohli’s masterful innings of 85 runs off 116 balls not only stabilized the innings but also steered India towards victory against the five-time world champion, Australia.
Kohli’s remarkable achievements didn’t stop there. He made history by plucking his 15th catch of the World Cup, surpassing Anil Kumble’s record. The run machine also achieved the distinction of having the most runs in successful chases in the history of ODI cricket. His 5,517 runs in 92 innings outshine even the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s record.
Virat Kohli’s prowess in successful run chases is nothing short of extraordinary. With 5,517 runs in such situations, he has eclipsed the great Sachin Tendulkar, who accumulated 5,490 runs in 124 innings. Kohli’s consistency and ability to anchor run chases make him a standout performer in limited-overs cricket.
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Kohli’s brilliance extends beyond run chases. He also overtook Tendulkar’s record for the most runs by an Indian in white-ball ICC tournaments. While Tendulkar amassed 2,719 runs in 61 games, Kohli surpassed the 2,780-run mark in a recent match. This achievement underscores Kohli’s exceptional batting prowess on the global stage.
As Kohli continues to rewrite record books, he stands just two centuries away from equalling Tendulkar’s record tally of ODI hundreds. With his insatiable hunger for runs and his unparalleled consistency, it’s only a matter of time before he achieves this milestone.
