India's batting juggernaut Virat Kohli scripted history during all-important Champions Trophy semifinal clash against Australia on March 4. Kohli has now became India's highest run-scorer in the Champions Trophy history. In pursuit of 265-run target, the Indian innings began with an early setback, as Shubman Gill was dismissed for a mere eight runs. Shortly after, captain Rohit Sharma followed suit, departing after a 29-ball 28. However, Shreyas Iyer and Kohli then stabilized the innings, forging a crucial 91-run partnership that steered India back on course.
Reaching 40 runs in his innings against Australia, Kohli surpassed Shikhar Dhawan's previous record, becoming India's leading run-scorer in the Champions Trophy. Dhawan had held the record for eight years. Notably, Chris Gayle remains the overall leader with 791 runs, followed by Mahela Jayawardene with 742.
Not just this, Kohli also surpassed 8000 runs in ODI run-chases, reaching this landmark when he scored his 21st run during India's challenging pursuit of 265. Notably, Kohli achieved this feat in just his 159th innings batting second, a testament to his efficiency and consistency in run-chases throughout his 301-match ODI career.
Most runs by Indians ICC Champions Trophy:
1) Virat Kohli - 712*** runs in 16 innings
2) Shikhar Dhawan - 701 runs in 10 innings
3) Sourav Ganguly - 665 runs in 11 innings
4) Rahul Dravid - 627 runs in 15 innings
5) Rohit Sharma - 557 runs in 13 innings
Most runs in ODI chases:
8720 - Sachin Tendulkar (Avg: 42.33)
8003* - Virat Kohli (Avg: 64.54)
6115 - Rohit Sharma (Avg: 49.71)
5742 - Sanath Jayasuriya (Avg: 29.44)
5575 - Jacques Kallis (44.95)
Kohli joins Sachin Tendulkar as only the second batter in history to amass 8000 ODI runs in run-chases. Tendulkar currently leads the charts with 8720 runs from 232 innings, while India's captain, Rohit Sharma, occupies the third position with 6115 runs. Renowned for his exceptional ability to chase down targets, Kohli thrives under pressure, as evidenced by 28 of his 51 ODI centuries coming while batting second. His century conversion rate in run-chases is unmatched, exceeding Tendulkar's 17 centuries and Rohit's 16 centuries in similar situations.
Kohli's remarkable contribution to successful run-chases is further highlighted by the fact that over 70 percent of his runs in such situations have led to victories, a record unmatched by any other batter in ODI history. Notably, he also holds the record for his fastest ODI century, achieved in just 52 balls during India's highest successful run-chase against Australia in Jaipur in 2013.
With India's scoreboard reading 198/4, all eyes are on Kohli, who is still intact on 79 runs off 89 balls.
