India's batting maestro Virat Kohli achieved yet another historic milestone by shattering Kumar Sangakkara's world record for the most ODI runs scored in an opponent's home country. The 37-year-old Indian icon accomplished the feat during the second ODI against England at Cardiff's Sophia Gardens, solidifying his status as one of the game's all-time greats.
Kohli busts Sangakkara's record of most runs in away ODIs
Needing 46 runs ahead of the match to overtake the Sri Lankan legend's benchmark of 5,518 runs, Kohli claimed the top spot on the all-time list in the 24th over of the Indian innings, driving the fourth delivery to secure his record-breaking 46th run of the day.
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While it took Sangakkara 149 ODIs on rival turf to amass his 5,518 runs, Kohli remarkably eclipsed that total in just his 126th away-from-home ODI match. This feat further bolsters Kohli's extraordinary record outside of India, where he has now accumulated 7,981 runs across 183 ODI appearances.
Kohli surpasses Dravid to claim Indian run-scoring crown in England
Following a modest five-run outing in the series opener at Edgbaston on Tuesday, Virat Kohli bounced back in the second ODI to officially become India’s most prolific run-scorer in England across all formats.
Needing a mere four runs to overtake the legendary Rahul Dravid, Kohli wasted little time reaching the milestone. He secured the historic run by dispatching a delivery from Jofra Archer to the boundary on the fourth ball of the ninth over.
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Since making his UK debut in 2011, Kohli has compiled 2,688 international runs (reaching this mark while batting on 46 during the innings) across 75 innings in 59 matches. In contrast, Dravid accumulated 2,645 runs in 56 innings over 46 matches during his stellar career in England from 1996 to 2011.
Talking about the match, Kohli ended up scoring a brilliant 65 off 66 balls which was studded with eight boundaries.