More than 10 months ago in the India vs Pakistan clash at T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, Virat Kohli played his best T20I knock in a successful run chase. Kohli brought 90,000 spectators to their feet at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) with two massive sixes off Haris Rauf in the penultimate over. The first of those sixes is considered as one of the toughest shots as Kohli hit a back-of-the-length delivery over Rauf’s head for a maximum.
Ahead of India's Asia Cup 2023 clash against Babar Azam-led side on September 2, Kohli met Rauf for the first time in over 10 months. Kohli greeted Rauf with a smile and then hugged him. The former Indian skipper met Shadab Khan and shared a laugh with him as well. The top order also greeted other Pakistan players including left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi after the practice session.
The last time Kohli played in ODI Asia Cup was in 2014. He has scored 613 runs from 11 matches at an average of 61.30 including three centuries and one half-century. He has a chance to leave Marvan Atapattu, Aravinda de Silva, MS Dhoni, and Mahela Jayawardene behind in one go. Dhoni has scored 648 runs from 16 innings at an average of 64.80 including one century and three half-centuries. The 34-year-old needs 62 more runs to surpass the four batters.
Also, Kohli has a chance to create ODI history alongside skipper Rohit Sharma. The veteran duo needs two more runs to become the fastest to 5,000 ODI runs as a pair. Kohli and Rohit are likely to achieve it in the 85th inning.
The record belongs to West Indies pair Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes who completed 5,000 ODI runs from 97 innings. For India, the quickest Indian pair to reach 5,000 ODI runs is Rohit and Shikhar Dhawan from 112 innings.
Also, Rohit and Kohli will become the third Indian pair to share 5,000 runs in ODIs. Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar top the list with 8,227 runs from 176 innings in a period of 15 years.
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India vs Pakistan, Asia Cup 2023: From Virat's Melbourne miracle to Rohit's Manchester madness, a recap on arch-rivals' recent battles
Asia Cup 2023: Hayden advises Rohit to exercise caution against Shaheen Afridi in India vs Pakistan slugfest
