NEW DELHI: In yet another landmark achievement, Virat Kohli etched his name deeper into the annals of cricket history by becoming the fastest player to score 27,000 runs in international cricket. Kohli reached the milestone in just 594 innings, breaking the previous record held by Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who achieved the feat in 623 innings.
The former India captain achieved the landmark during the fourth day of the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur on Monday.
Kohli has accumulated an impressive 13,906 runs in 295 ODIs, along with 8918 runs in Test cricket. In T20Is, he amassed 4,188 runs before announcing his retirement from the shortest format after India’s triumphant campaign in the T20 World Cup.
He notched up a quick-fire 47 off 35 balls before being cleaned up by Shakib Al Hasan.
This achievement not only underlines Kohli’s consistency across all formats of the game but also cements his place among the greatest cricketers of all time. Known for his fierce determination and insatiable hunger for runs, Kohli’s dominance has spanned over a decade, during which he has set several records.
To provide context, Sachin Tendulkar, who held the record prior to Kohli, is regarded as one of the most complete batsmen to have ever played the game. His 27,000 runs came in a glittering career that spanned over 24 years, including 100 international centuries.
Following Tendulkar on the list is Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, who took 648 innings to reach the milestone. Sangakkara’s elegance and precision with the bat made him one of the finest players of his generation.
Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian captain and one of the fiercest competitors, completed his 27,000 runs in 650 innings, further proving that this feat is a hallmark of cricket’s elite players.
For Kohli, surpassing these greats is yet another reminder of his unparalleled ability to rise to the occasion when the spotlight is brightest. From his early days as a prodigy in Indian cricket to becoming one of the most celebrated figures globally, Kohli’s journey has been one of discipline, fitness, and an uncompromising desire for excellence.
This milestone comes at a time when Kohli is in the latter stages of his career, yet continues to be a key pillar for Team India. Fans and analysts alike believe that there are still several more records for Kohli to break, with the legendary cricketer showing no signs of slowing down.