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India's in-form senior batter Virat Kohli is on the cusp of creating history. Kohli who is India's leading run-scorer in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025, also has a chance to break an all-time record held by West Indies legend Chris Gayle. The former Caribbean opener is the highest run-scorer in the history of Champions Trophy and Kohli is breathing down his neck after a match-winning 84-run knock against Australia in the semifinal.
Gayle has 791 runs from 17 innings at an average of 52.73, including three fours and a six. The southpaw scored at a strike rate of 88.77. Kohli has scored 746 runs from 16 innings at an average of 82.88, featuring one century and six half-centuries. The 36-year-old needs 46 more runs in the final against New Zealand on March 9 to reach the top.
Another fight for top spot
Kohli is fourth on the list of leading run-scorer in the ongoing tournament. He has scored 217 runs from four innings. The top spot is occupied by England opener Ben Duckett with 227 runs from three innings.
Others in contention to be top run-scorer are New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra (226 runs), Tom Latham (191 runs), Kane Williamson (189 runs), Will Young (150 runs) and, India's Shreyas Iyer (195 runs) and, Shubman Gill (157 runs).
Shastri on Kohli, Williamson and Ravindra
Meanwhile, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has termed Kohli, Williamson and Ravindra as dangerous as they can play a crucial role in the final showdown.
“Now (on) current form, Kohli. When these guys get hot and you let them get their first 10 runs, then they're trouble. Whether it's Williamson, whether it's Kohli,” Shastri said on the ICC.
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“So from New Zealand, I would say Williamson. To an extent, Rachin Ravindra, he is a fabulous young player.
“But these guys when they smell the coffee and you let them, in a final, get to that 10-15, then they're doubly dangerous.”
Kohli's chance to surpass Tendulkar
If Kohli goes on to get a century in the final, he will break legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record for most runs by an Indian against New Zealand in ODIs. Tendulkar has 1,760 runs from 41 innings, including five centuries and eight half-centuries against the Kiwis. From 32 innings, Kohli has 1,656 runs, including six centuries and nine fifties. Overall, the top spot belongs to former Australia captain Ricky Ponting with 1,971 runs from 50 innings, including six centuries and 12 fifties.
