Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
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| Image credit – Reuters |
Spare a thought for the Virat Kohli haters on this fine Tuesday.
They don’t really have a leg to stand on right now, and England are on track to lose the third Test. It’s a fine Tuesday indeed.
I’ve stated before that even as an Australian, I believe Virat Kohli is the world’s best batsman. This England series, after his magnificent South Africa tour, has further reinforced this position as one that is very difficult to dispute.
These two series would test the very best of batsmen, given the quality of bowling and challenging batting conditions on offer. Kohli, though, is of a different class altogether, and his average of 60.50 across six Tests against the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel, James Anderson and Stuart Broad is testament to that.
The England media and Kohli’s non-admirers were loving life before this big Test series, constantly reminding us of his tough 2014 tour.
Now, he is dominating.
Here are my five favourite stats about Virat Kohli that are a testament to his class, brilliance and greatness.
Stat #1: Australia, South Africa, England…
Virat Kohli has scored the most runs out of any Indian captain in Test series in Australia, South Africa and England.
These nations are the toughest tours for India, and Virat Kohli is hellbent on improving India’s poor record in these countries.
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| Magnificent 2018 for Virat Kohli… |
Stat #2: Joe Root and Virat Kohli have the same number of centuries! Oh wait…
Virat Kohli now has the same number of Test centuries away from home (13) that Joe Root has in total.
Also, whether it is home or away, Kohli has Root’s measure.
In England’s tour of India 2016, Joe Root struck 491 runs at 49.10, with a century. In that same series, Kohli hit 655 in two less innings, averaging 109.1, with two centuries, including a double. “Of course, he’s at home”, said the haters.
Fast forward to 2018 in England and it’s an even better story. In tough batting conditions, Virat Kohli has hit 440 runs at 73.30, with two centuries. Root has struck 129 runs at 32.20 with no centuries.
Stat #3: Dominant as Indian skipper
Not only has Virat Kohli scored the most runs in a series in Australia, South Africa and England out of all India captains, there is more.
Among all Indian captains, Virat Kohli has the most Test runs (3,864), most Test runs outside India (1,802) and most Test runs outside Asia (1,394).
Remarkable.
Stat #4: Third on the list…
Virat Kohli is now third on the list of most Test hundreds as skipper.
Graeme Smith leads with 25, scored in 193 innings, followed by Ricky Ponting, who scored 19 in 140 innings. Virat Kohli though, has scored 16 in just 63 innings. If he maintains the same rate in the same amount of innings as Ponting, he will score 36 as skipper!
As captain, Kohli averages 63.13 in 38 Tests. What’s been special though is his performances this year in bowling friendly conditions which separates him from the current crop.
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| Stuart Broad deep in thought… |
Stat #5: Second to Bradman among captains
Among captains with 10+ Test centuries, Virat Kohli’s ratio of one every 3.93 innings is second only to Sir Donald Bradman (2.71).
Also, with this century, Virat Kohli now has a second innings century in Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and South Africa, in addition to India.
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So, if you are ever feeling down, just remember you are alive at the same time as Virat Kohli.
Witnessing greatness.
