Stats: Most runs by a batsman while chasing targets on his home turf

Virat Kohli is at Number 5 in the list

On Sunday, Virat Kohli played yet another stellar role in helping India cross the finish line in the third ODI against New Zealand in Mohali, while in pursuit of a target. The 27-year-old right-hander has made this a habit of his to lead his side to victories in chases and has done it on a consistent basis in the past five years.

However, the Delhi batsman is only fifth when we see the most number of runs made by a player while chasing a target on home turf. The list is headed by a player who he often compared with these days- Sachin Tendulkar-who made 3593 runs in 89 matches at an average of 47.27. His best score in those matches came against Australia at Hyderabad, when he made 175.

Second on the list is Jacques Kallis, who made 2446 runs in 73 matches. Two West Indians also make the cut with Chris Gayle and Brian Lara featuring in the third and the fifth spots respectively.

Two Sri Lankans also feature in the list with Sanath Jayasuriya at the Number four spot and Kumar Sangakkara at the Number seven spot respectively. Two more Australians also feature in the list Allan Border, who made 1865 runs at an average of 32 and Adam Gilchrist, who rounds off the Top 10 with 1864 runs at an average of 38.04.

Interestingly, none of these players who feature in this list ever batted outside the top four in the order and that is perhaps on an indication abo how important a role batsman at the top of the order play while tracking down targets and especially why they are critical while pursuing of big targets.

Here’s the Top 10 list:

No.	Name	Matches	Runs	Average
1.	Sachin Tendulkar	89	3593	47.27
2.	Jacques Kallis	73	2446	47.03
3.	Chris Gayle	62	2222	38.31
4.	Sanath Jayasuriya	73	2123	34.80
5.	Virat Kohli	40	2020	69.95
6.	Brian Lara	54	1961	53.00
7.	Kumar Sangakkara	71	1931	38.62
8.	Herschelle Gibbs	57	1880	39.16
9.	Allan Border	82	1865	32.71
10.	Adam Gilchrist	55	1864	38.04