5 international records which Virat Kohli can break
The 29-year-old is one of the best batsmen in the world right now. Since leading the India Under-19 team to the 2008 ICC Under-19 World Cup title, Virat Kohli has always been touted to achieve great things with the Indian national side. His technique and talents gave an indication of what the youngster was capable of then. However, through determination and hard work, the young angry teenager has transformed into one of the most enjoyable batsmen to watch in world cricket right now.
In addition to being the captain of the young side, Kohli had finished as the third highest run-getter of the Under-19 tournament. Fast forward a decade and he is captaining the national Test side and taken over the reins of the limited-overs captaincy as MS Dhoni bid adieu.
The 29-year-old has the ability to recognize his weaknesses and play each format making full of his strengths to put in a top quality performance each time he is at the crease. With his current form being nothing short of commendable, Kohli is well on his way to breaking and making records in international cricket over the remainder of his cricketing career if he can maintain the consistency with which he plays.
Here we take a look at five of the international records that Kohli can break:
(Stats updated ahead of Eng-Ind Test series)
#1 Most number of ODI centuries
Sachin Tendulkar's phenomenal record of 100 international centuries is a record that might last till the end of time. However, Sachin's record for most number of centuries in ODI is definitely one of the records that Virat Kohli can break.
In a career that spanned 23 years and 463 ODI matches, Sachin has 49 hundreds to his name, missing the 50-mark by one century. Although Kohli might not get to play 463 ODIs, the rate at which he is scoring centuries should do him good to become the first batsman to reach 50 ODI centuries.
Kohli has played 211 matches and scored 35 hundreds and 9779 runs at an average of 58.20, which is more than Sachin's average of 44.83. Kohli's 35 centuries is the highest for any current batsman, ahead of Hashim Amla. The advantage that Kohli has over the South African batsman is that Amla is 35, whereas Kohli is six years younger.
Another reason why Kohli can break the Little Master's record is his rate of scoring centuries. Sachin scored a century in 10 innings while Kohli scores one in just under 6 innings, giving him a definite shot at the record.