“Congratulations to the King” – BCCI secretary Jay Shah wishes Virat Kohli on completing 16 years in international cricket
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary has wished former India captain Virat Kohli on completing 16 years in international cricket on Sunday, August 18. Shah credited Kohli for a legendary career as he continues to deliver for Team India across formats.
The Delhi batter recently played a match-winning knock against South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final. The right-handed batter, however, looked clueless in the ICC event before overcoming his lean patch in the all-important final.
Jay Shah wrote on X:
“16 years ago today, a 19-year-old @imVkohli stepped onto the international stage for the first time, marking the beginning of what has become a truly legendary career. Congratulations to the King on completing 16 years in international cricket!”
Virat Kohli has become the second-leading run-scorer for India in internationals since he made his India debut in 2008. The right-handed batter has 26,942 runs in 533 matches with the help of 80 centuries and 140 half-centuries.
He, however, is still behind legendary Sachin Tendulkar (34,357), Kumar Sangakkara (28,016), and Ricky Ponting (27,483) in the list of all-time leading run-getters in international cricket. Kohli also holds the record for most tons (50) in the 50-over format.
Kohli was last seen in action during the three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka. The right-handed batter failed to deliver in the 50-over format, returning with scores of 24, 14 and 20 runs.
Virat Kohli rested for the Duleep Trophy ahead of IND vs BAN Tests
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been rested for the upcoming Duleep Trophy ahead of the two-match Test series in Bangladesh. Jay Shah said that the decision has been taken to avoid unnecessary injuries to the senior players ahead of the upcoming Test season, including the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He recently told ANI (via The Times of India):
"We should not insist on players like Rohit and Virat to play in the Duleep Trophy. They will risk injury. If you have noticed, in Australia and England, every international player does not play domestic cricket. We have to treat the players with respect.”
Kohli has 437 runs in six Tests (nine innings) against Bangladesh at an average of 54.62, including two centuries. He needs 152 runs to complete 9,000 runs in Tests.