Team India veteran Virat Kohli is set to surpass the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, and Sourav Ganguly among others for another massive record. The modern-day great is set to become the first batter to amass 2000+ runs in a calendar year for the record seventh time.
- Batters with 2000+ runs in a year:
- Kumar Sangakkara – 6
- Virat Kohli – 6*
- Mahela Jayawardene – 5
- Sachin Tendulkar – 5
- Jacques Kallis – 4
- Matthew Hayden – 4
- Ricky Ponting – 4
- Sourav Ganguly – 4
Kohli needs 66 runs to achieve the record
To note, Virat Kohli (1934) needs 66 runs to complete 2000 runs across formats in the year 2023. The right-handed batter will possibly have four chances to bat in the upcoming IND vs SA Test series. The record looks quite achievable as team India lock horns against Proteas in the first Test match to be played at the Supersport Park in Centurion. The opening encounter will start on December 26 (Tuesday).
Speaking about his numbers in South Africa, Virat has played 14 Tests and scored 1236 runs at an average of 56.18. He is currently the fourth-highest Test run getter for India against South Africa. The right-handed batter is expected to play a crucial role in the upcoming IND vs SA Test series.
