On Sunday, September 27, veteran Indian batter Virat Kohli has scripted history by becoming only the second cricketer after legendary former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar to reach the 15,000-run milestone in ODI cricket.
Kohli reached the landmark on the fifth ball of the 29th over, hitting a boundary off Alzarri Joseph in the just-concluded first ODI against the West Indies at the Greenfield International Stadium in Trivandrum in his 303rd innings.
On the other hand, Sachin achieved the landmark in his 377th innings against South Africa at the Civil Service Cricket Club in June 2007. Interestingly, Kohli also reached his 42nd international century in India in 260 innings – the joint most with Tendulkar (in 313 innings).
Before the first ODI, Kohli had scored 14,941 runs at an average of 58.59, including 54 centuries and 79 half-centuries. Kohli reached the 15,000-run milestone in just 303 innings — 74 innings fewer than Tendulkar’s 377 — and needed only 15,950 balls compared to Tendulkar’s 17,528 balls.
Delving into the details of the first ODI, West Indies was tasked with batting first, and they posted a whopping total of 295/7 in 50 overs. Justin Greaves (101), John Campbell (62) and Amir Jangoo (58*) were the top scorers. Kuldeep Yadav scalped a four-wicket haul.
In the second innings, India sealed the deal in 41.4 overs with eight wickets in hand. Virat Kohli (139*) and Shubman Gill (110) were the top scorers in the chase. Alzarri Joseph and Roston Chase scalped one wicket each, but in vain.
The action now moves to the second ODI of the three-game series at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday, September 30.
