Virat Kohli becomes second-highest run-scorer in ODIs, surpasses Kumar Sangakkara
What's the story
Indian batting talisman Virat Kohli has become the second-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket. The 36-year-old reached the landmark with a match-winning 74* in the third and final ODI against Australia in Sydney. He entered the game, requiring 54 runs to attain the landmark. Kohli surpassed second-placed Kumar Sangakkara in terms of ODI runs. The Indian star is now only behind Tendulkar on this list.
Knock
A valuable knock from Kohli
Kohli, who bagged ducks in the first two games, bounced back in style. Chasing 237 runs, he arrived with the scorecard reading 69/1. Kohli then joined forces with centurion Rohit Sharma (121*), and it was one-way traffic thereafter. They scripted an unbeaten 168-run stand as the Men in Blue crossed the line in just 38.3 overs, winning by nine wickets.
Milestone
Kohli overtakes Sangakkara
Kohli returned unbeaten on 74 off 81 balls as he smoked seven boundaries. As mentioned, Kohli overtook Sri Lankan legend Sangakkara in terms of ODI runs. The latter hammered 14,234 runs in 404 ODIs at a remarkable average of 41.98. Meanwhile, Tendulkar racked up 18,426 runs from 463 ODIs at an average of 44.83.
Runs
Fastest to 14,000 ODI runs
During the Champions Trophy earlier this year, Kohli became the fastest to 14,000 ODI runs in terms of innings taken (287). Only Tendulkar and Sanga have touched this mark in the format. Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara took 350 and 378 innings, respectively. Later in the tournament, Kohli also became one of only seven players to have featured in 300 ODIs for India.
Stats
Here are his overall ODI stats
Kohli, who has retired from Test and ODI cricket, averages a magnificent 57.71 in ODI cricket. In 305 matches, the Indian batter owns 14,255 runs with a strike rate of 93.26. His tally includes 51 tons, the most in the format. The one in Sydney was his 75th fifty. As mentioned, he was dismissed for ducks in the first two games of the series.
DYK
2,500 runs against the Aussies
The game saw both Rohit and Kohli complete 2,500 ODI runs against the Aussies. Tendulkar (3,077) is the only other batter with this landmark. Kohli's 74* took him to 2,525 runs across 53 games against the Aussies at 53.72 (100s: 8, 50s: 16). Meanwhile, 1,401 of Kohli's ODI runs have come Down Under at 50.03. This includes seven fifties besides five tons.
Record holder
Most 50+ scores in 2nd innings of ODIs
Kohli now has 70 scores of 50-plus in ODIs while batting second in ODIs - the most for any batter. As per ESPNcricinfo, he broke the tie with Tendulkar, who has 69 such scores. Overall, 8,138 of Kohli's runs have come while batting second at 64.58. While Kohli owns 28 tons in run chases, no other batter has even 20 centuries in this regard.