Virat Kohli set to complete 8,000 runs in Test cricket
What's the story
Former Indian captain Virat Kohli is set to complete 8,000 runs in Test cricket. He can achieve the monumental feat in the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali. Kohli will become the sixth Indian to cross the 8,000-run mark in Tests. He will feature in his 100th Test in Mohali. Here are the key stats.
Context
Why does this story matter?
In a career spanning over a decade, Kohli has smashed 7,962 runs from 99 Tests at a remarkable average of 50.39. He is presently the sixth-highest run-scorer for India (Tests) after Sachin Tendulkar (15,921), Rahul Dravid (13,288), Sunil Gavaskar (10,122), VVS Laxman (8,781), and Virender Sehwag (8,586). Kohli will become the sixth Indian batter to complete 8,000 Test runs.
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Kohli has achieved this unique feat
As per Opta, Kohli has been the highest run-scorer in 16 of 99 matches he has featured in. He is only behind England's Joe Root, who has achieved this feat 21 times. However, The England Test skipper has played over 100 matches.
Milestone
Kohli set to play his 100th Test
Kohli is set to feature in his 100th Test. He will become the 12th Indian player to reach this landmark in the format. The 33-year-old had earned his maiden Test cap on June 20, 2011, at Sabina Park, Jamaica, when India took on the West Indies. Along with him, Praveen Kumar and Abhinav Mukund also made their Test debuts in that match.
Ton
Kohli still in pursuit of his international ton
Despite his stature, Kohli has been short of runs of late. He hasn't scored an international ton in over two years (more than 50 innings). He smashed 136 against Bangladesh in the Eden Gardens Test (Day/Night). Since his last century (November 2019), he has scored 2,397 runs from 61 international games at an average of 38.04. The tally includes 24 half-centuries.