Virat Kohli, the star India batter, made history by becoming the first-ever cricketer to score 3,000 runs across both the 20-over and 50-over Cricket World Cups during his side’s T20 World Cup Super Eights clash against Bangladesh in Antigua. Despite a few poor games, Virat showed glimpses of his vintage self by scoring 37 runs in 28 deliveries, including a four and three big sixes, at a strike rate of 132.14. He is the leading run-scorer in the history of the ICC T20 World Cup, with 1,207 runs in 32 matches and 30 innings at an average of 63.52 and a strike rate of 129.78. Virat has scored 14 half-centuries in tournament history, with the best score of 89*, and has won the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award in 2014 and 2016.
Virat’s top campaign in the T20 World Cup was in 2014, where he scored 319 runs in six matches at an average of 106.33 with four half-centuries and a strike rate of 129.15. In the current tournament, he has scored 66 runs in five games at an average of 13.20 and a strike rate of 108.19, with the best score of 37. Moving on to the 50-over World Cup, Virat is the second-highest run-scorer in tournament history, with 1,795 runs in 37 matches and 37 innings at an average of 59.83 and a strike rate of 88.20. He has scored five centuries and 12 fifties, with the best score of 117.
During the 2023 50-over World Cup in India, Virat delivered a career-best performance, scoring 765 runs in 11 matches at an average of over 95, with three centuries and six fifties. He also secured the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award and registered the most runs by a batter in a single World Cup edition, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record. Overall, across both competitions in 69 matches, Virat has scored 3,002 runs in 67 innings at an average of 61.26, with five centuries and 26 fifties, and the best score of 117.
In the match against Bangladesh, India’s playing XI included Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, and more, while Bangladesh opted to field first after winning the toss. This historic achievement by Virat Kohli not only showcases his exceptional skills as a batter but also solidifies his position as one of the greatest cricketers of all time. With his consistent performances and record-breaking feats, Virat continues to leave a mark on cricket history and inspire aspiring young cricketers worldwide.
