Virat Kohli is experiencing a remarkable year, marked by a series of stellar performances. The former captain has notched up an impressive tally of seven centuries, and with the crucial IND vs SA 1st Test still ahead for the Men in Blue, his impact is poised to continue.
The Indian team is currently on South African shores, aiming to achieve what no previous Indian squad has managed—conquering the challenging South African cricketing terrain. Despite successful encounters with Australia, South Africa remains the unconquered frontier for the Indian team.
Eager to leave an indelible mark with his bat, Kohli is on the verge of a significant world record. He aims to surpass the record set by Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara for scoring over 2000 runs in international cricket the most times in a calendar year.
Kohli has achieved this feat six times across formats, matching Sangakkara’s record. Having scored over 2000 runs in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, Kohli is now tantalizingly close to breaking the record in 2023, currently standing just 66 runs shy.
Players to score 2000 runs most times in International cricket
- Virat Kohli – 6
- Kumar Sangakkara – 6
- Mahela Jayawardene – 5
- Sachin Tendulkar – 5
- Jacques Kallis – 4
Kohli’s expertise against South Africa is noteworthy, with 14 Tests played since 2013. In this period, he has emerged as the highest run-scorer among active cricketers in Tests between India and South Africa, amassing 1236 runs. His performance significantly outshines the second-best, Ajinkya Rahane, who has accumulated 884 runs in Tests against South Africa. As Kohli prepares for India’s first Test against the Proteas, all eyes are on him as he seeks to etch his name in the record books once again.
