Indian batter Virat Kohli broke the massive record of Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara in international cricket. The kingpin of the Indian batting lineup became the first player to complete 2000 runs in 7 calendar years.
Virat Kohli surpassed Kumar Sangakkara to achieve the feat. The Sri Lanka legend had achieved the milestone 6 times in his career. The Indian batter overtook him after his staggering year in 2023 across two formats.
Virat Kohli achieved the feat after his sensational ton in the second innings of the first Test against South Africa. The batter played a magnificent knock and despite wickets falling around him, he set the stage on fire and kept India’s hope alive in the game.
Kohli looked settled at the crease as he played some crisp shots and despite conditions being tough, he continued batting aggressively. India was under immense pressure as wickets were falling like pack to cards on the other end.
Virat Kohli exhibited his class and slammed a sensational half-century under pressure. He played a single-handed knock for his team and scored 76 runs. The batter got out in an attempt to score runs quickly and his wicket was the last to fall, meaning India lost the game by a margin of innings and 32 runs.
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With his 76-run knock, Virat Kohli crossed the 200-run mark in 2023. He had a sensational year as he was back to his best after having a lean patch. He scored truckloads of runs in white-ball and also was the leading run-getter in the ICC World Cup 2023.
Kohli would be eager to make a similar impact in the next year as well. India’s 2024 will begin with the second Test against South Africa in Johannesburg. The match will take place on 3rd January.
IND vs SA: Players with 2000+ international runs in a calendar year; Virat Kohli creates history
Virat Kohli is the player with 2000+ international runs in a calendar year most times in his career. Alongside him, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Sachin Tendulkar and Jacques Kallis are also in the list.
• Virat Kohli – 7 times
• KumarSangakkara – 6 times
• Mahela Jayawardene – 5 times
• Sachin Tendulkar – 5 times
• Jacques Kallis – 4 times