Virat Kohli becomes second Indian with 16,000 List A runs
What's the story
Star batter Virat Kohli marked his return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India's 50-over domestic tournament, on Wednesday. The match, Delhi's first in the tournament, saw them take on Andhra Pradesh at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Kohli completed 16,000 List A runs in Delhi's successful 299-run chase, becoming the second Indian to do so. Here are the key stats.
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Kohli smashes 131 runs for Delhi
Kohli, who batted at number three, smashed a knock of 131 runs from 101 balls. He hit 14 fours and three sixes. He was part of two century-plus stands alongside Priyansh Arya and Nitish Rana. The 37-year-old Kohli was dismissed by PVSN Raju (33rd over).
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5 successive fifty-plus scores in List A cricket
This was Kohli's 5th successive 50-plus score in List A cricket. Before this century for Delhi in VHT, he hammerd an unbeaten fifty and two tons in the ODI series against South Africa. In the 3rd ODI against Australia, he smashed 74*.
Runs
Kohli joins Sachin Tendulkar
Kohli, arguably the greatest ODI batter, entered the match with 15,999 runs from 329 innings in List A cricket. He is second only to the great Sachin Tendulkar in terms of List A runs among Indians. The Master Blaster bowed out with 21,999 runs in 538 innings. Kohli already has 57 tons in List A cricket, with 53 of them coming in internationals.
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Kohli enters this elite list
Overall, Kohli has become the ninth player with 16,000 List A runs. He joined the likes of Graham Gooch, Graeme Hick, Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara, Sir Vivian Richards, Ricky Ponting, Gordon Greenidge, and Sanath Jayasuriya.
Numbers
Incredible numbers in ODI cricket
While Kohli has played limited domestic matches due to his international assignments, he has scaled mountains. The 37-year-old is currently the second-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket, only behind Tendulkar (18,426). In 308 matches, Kohli has scored 14,557 runs at an incredible average of 58.46. He owns the most centuries in the format (53). Kohli is also the fastest to 14,000 ODI runs.
Return
Kohli returns after stellar home series
Kohli, who has already retired from T20Is and Tests, had committed to playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy with Delhi. He comes into this tournament on the back of an incredible home ODI series against South Africa, where he smacked three 50-plus scores, including two tons. With scores of 135, 102, and 65* in three ODIs, Kohli was adjudged the Player of the Series.