• Source:JND
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Virat Kohli has completed 15 years in international cricket, having made his debut for India on this very day in 2008 in an ODI match against Sri Lanka.

A young and chubby-faced Virat, a few months after leading India to the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup trophy, announced his arrival on the massive platform as he donned the India cap.

Talking about his debut match, Virat along with fellow Delhi teammate Gautam Gambhir opened the batting against Sri Lanka and could score just 12 runs. The youngster ended his first series with decent numbers, scoring 159 runs in five matches at an average of 31.80, getting his first fifty in the fifth ODI.

 

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The former India skipper kept improving and set up record after record and put up a brand new standard of consistency across formats with every passing year.

His batting brilliance put him as a key part of the modern-day 'Fab Four' batting quartet along with Steve Smith from Australia, New Zealand's Kane Williamson, and England's Joe Root.

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah congratulated the former Indian skipper on his incredible achievement of completing a long journey in international cricket as his inspiring career completes 15 years.

"Congratulations to the incredible @imVkohli on 15 years of unwavering commitment to international cricket! Your passion, perseverance, and remarkable achievements have inspired millions. Wishing you continued success and many more milestones ahead!" Shah wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

 

Let's relive Virat Kohli's 15-year-long and passionate journey across formats.

 

Virat Kohli in ODI Cricket

Virat is considered as one of the greatest batters the format has ever seen with some unbelievable numbers to his name. In 275 ODIs, he has scored 12,898 runs at an average of 57.32 including 46 centuries and 65 half-centuries in 265 innings, with the best score of 183.

Kohli is the third-fastest to 5,000 ODI runs, second-fastest to 6,000 and 7,000 ODI runs, and fastest to score 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, and 12,000 ODI runs.

Having led the Indian side in 95 ODIs, he has a tally of 65 wins and 27 losses, which translates to a win percentage of 68.42.

He was part of the team which won the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, reached the semifinals of the 2015 and 2019 Cricket World Cups and final of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.

 

Virat Kohli in Test Cricket

Test cricket is believed to be the dearest to the star Indian batter as he has featured in 111 matches for India after making his debut in 2011 against West Indies. He has scored 8,676 runs at an average of 49.29 in 187 innings, with 29 centuries and 29 fifties and the best score of 254*.

He is the fifth-highest scorer in Test cricket for India and 23rd overall, chasing the all-time tally of Indian great Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs in 200 matches and 51 centuries). He also has the fourth-highest centuries in Tests among Indians. Virat also has seven double hundreds, the most by an Indian player.

Virat left a legacy in Tests as captain of the side, having led the team in 68 matches with 40 wins and 17 losses to his name.

Making India into a formidable home unit, helping them clinch a memorable Test match/series win in England, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia, and West Indies, establishing a world-class pace bowling unit consisting of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, etc.

He also led the Indian team to five successive ICC World Test Championship maces from 2017-21.

 

Virat Kohli in T20I Cricket

Virat Kohli is an all-time great in the shortest format of the game, having been a perfectly situation-based attacking batter over the years.

In 115 matches, he has scored 4008 runs at an average of 52.73 and a strike rate of 137.96 including one century and 37 half-centuries, with the best score of 122*.

He has the highest amount of runs, fifty-plus scores, and average in T20I cricket history. Virat also has the most 'Man of the Match' (15) and 'Man of the Series' (seven) awards in T20Is.

Kohli's ICC T20 World Cup stats are exceptional with 1141 runs in 27 matches and 25 innings at an average of 81.50 and a strike rate of 131.30 including 14 fifties. He is by far the most consistent player in tournament history and the top-run scorer as well at the same time.

Despite his heroics, he is yet to win a T20 WC for India. He was even named the 'Player of the Tournament' in the 2014 and 2016 editions of the tournament.

 

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Virat is a modern-day great and has remarkable overall numbers in international cricket, making him one of the most consistent batters ever. In 501 matches, he has scored 25,582 runs at an average of 53.63. In 559 innings, he has scored 76 centuries and 131 fifties, with the best score of 254*.

He is the second-highest run-scorer for India and fifth-highest run-scorer in international cricket, chasing the records of 34,357 international runs, 664 international appearances, and 100 international centuries of his idol, Sachin Tendulkar. He has the most 'Player of the Series' awards in history.

He won the ICC 'Player of the Decade' award in 2011-20.