Star Indian cricketer Virat Kohli turned 35 today, and wishes have poured in for the batting icon from all corners. Kohli has been one of the pillars of the Indian batting lineup ever since his international debut in 2008. Often compared to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar for his prolific run-scoring, Kohli has achieved great success and broken numerous records across all formats.
On his birthday today, Kohli’s teammates past and present, along with personalities from sports and politics, took to social media to wish the cricketing great. These include the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
514 intl. matches & counting 🙌
26,209 intl. runs & counting 👑2⃣0⃣1⃣1⃣ ICC World Cup & 2⃣0⃣1⃣3⃣ ICC Champions Trophy winner 🏆
Here’s wishing Virat Kohli – Former #TeamIndia Captain & one of the greatest modern-day batters – a very Happy Birthday!👏🎂 pic.twitter.com/eUABQJYKT5
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 5, 2023
When you joined the team as a youngster who was eager for opportunities and hungry to perform, it was clear to everyone that you were destined for greatness. You’ve not only made a mark for yourself but have also inspired countless others to strive for excellence.
As you… pic.twitter.com/2FXP5GqH9q
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) November 5, 2023
Statistical Dominance Across Formats
In a stellar international career spanning over 14 years, Kohli has represented India in 288 ODIs, 111 Tests and 115 T20Is. He has notched up a monumental 26,209 international runs, including 13,525 runs in ODIs, 8,676 runs in Tests and 4,008 runs in T20Is.
With 78 international hundreds, Virat is second only to Sachin Tendulkar (100) in terms of centuries scored. In ODIs, Kohli’s tally of 48 hundreds is just one short of Tendulkar’s all-time record of 49. Clearly, statistics underline Kohli’s dominance across formats.
Kohli Still Going Strong in ODI World Cup 2023
Even after 15 years in international cricket, Kohli continues to be India’s batting mainstay, as evidenced in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023. With 442 runs in 7 innings, he has scored the most runs for India in the tournament so far.
The batting maestro will be eager to notch up his 49th ODI ton when India take on South Africa in their next World Cup match on November 5, which is also his birthday. Given his sublime form, another Kohli masterclass could well be on the cards.
Virat Kohli’s Illustrious Captaincy Tenure for India
Besides his batting exploits, Kohli will also be remembered for his outstanding leadership as India’s most successful Test captain. The team became a dominant force across the world under his seven-year captaincy stint starting 2017, with a highlights being India’s first-ever Test series win in Australia in 2018-19.
Although Kohli relinquished captaincy earlier this year, his leadership legacy remains unmatched in Indian Test history. He continues to be an integral part of the Indian Test team, both as a prolific run-getter and senior statesman.
