The cricketing world is closely watching as India’s Virat Kohli, one of the game’s most prolific batters, edges closer to an illustrious milestone. The year 2023 has been nothing short of spectacular for the former Indian captain, having notched up an impressive seven centuries. As the cricket calendar progresses, a crucial clash beckons for India on South African soil—a land where victory has eluded them in past endeavors.
In the history of Indian cricket, while the team has managed to claim triumphs in Australia twice, South Africa stands as the unconquered territory they yearn to claim. As the team prepares to stake their claim, eyes are firmly fixed on Kohli, whose prowess with the bat remains a formidable force capable of unsettling any opponent.
The stakes are higher for Kohli as he stands on the cusp of cricket history. With India’s first Test against the Proteas about to unfold, the batting maestro is gunning for the world record held by Kumar Sangakkara, the legendary Sri Lankan wicket-keeper. Kohli is poised to surpass Sangakkara’s towering achievement of scoring over 2000 runs in International cricket most times in a calendar year.
Sangakkara set the bar incredibly high, achieving this feat six times, etching his name in the annals of cricket. Kohli, with a similar tally, is on the verge of breaking this tie. His past record is a testament to his consistency and class, having crossed the 2000-run mark in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. This record manifests his dominance across all forms of international cricket, reflecting a relentless pursuit of excellence.
With a tally of 1934 runs in 2023 so far, the Indian cricket phenom is a mere 66 runs away from rewriting history and staking his claim as the most prolific run-scorer over 2000 runs in a calendar year. A comparison shows Kohli sharing this record with Sangakkara, followed closely by the likes of Mahela Jayawardene and Sachin Tendulkar, both with five instances, and Jacques Kallis with four.
Kohli’s batting history against South Africa further underlines his potential to achieve this record. Having stepped onto the pitch in 14 Test matches against the Proteas since 2013, Kohli reigns as the highest run-scorer among active cricketers in the Test confrontations between these two powerhouses. His whopping 1236 runs tower over the second-best from his teammate Ajinkya Rahane, who has scored 884 runs.
With his bat ready to do the talking, and a historic record within reach, Kohli enters the upcoming series with a flair and determination that have become the hallmark of his illustrious career. This record, if achieved, will be another feather in the cap of a player whose contributions to the game have been nothing short of legendary.
The anticipation for Kohli’s performance is just one aspect of the excitement surrounding India’s tours. For cricket aficionados and statisticians, records such as the one Kohli aims to surpass encapsulate the drama and narrative that make cricket more than just a game. Eager fans are on the edge of their seats, waiting to witness if Kohli will cement his legacy even further and etch his name into cricketing immortality with a resounding clash against the South African team.
