New Delhi, Jan 11, TEN Network | Indian cricket team skipper Virat Kohli is no stranger to breaking records in the shortest format of the sport and the right-hander added another major accolade to his name during the 3rd T20I encounter against Sri Lanka in Pune on Friday. Kohli became the second Indian cricketer to complete 11,000 international runs as skipper – a feat achieved only by MS Dhoni. Overall, he became the sixth international skipper to reach the mark.
Kohli reached the milestone in the 13th over after taking a single off Lakshan Sandakan.
Kohli also became the fastest captain to reach the milestone as he was able to achieve the feat in 169 matches (196 innings). Kohli beat former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who had taken 252 innings to achieve the same. Kohli is also the first to reach 11000 international runs as captain under 200 innings. The other captains to have achieved this unique distinction and scored over 11,000 international runs are Stephen Fleming, MS Dhoni, Allan Border, and Graeme Smith.
Fastest to reach 11000 international runs as captain
Virat Kohli – 196 innings
Ricky Ponting – 252 innings
Graeme Smith – 264 innings
Allan Border – 316 innings
MS Dhoni – 324 innings
Stephen Fleming – 333 innings
Ponting’s tally of 15.440 runs came in 324 matches, Smith’s 14,878 runs came in 286 matches, Fleming’s 11,561 runs came in 303 matches, Dhoni’s 11,207 runs came in 332 matches and Border’s 11,062 runs came in 271 matches.
Kohli, who came out to bat at No.6 – only for the 2nd time in his career after 2018 – scored 27 off 17 balls before getting run out. India won the third T20I at Pune comprehensively by 78 runs to claim the three-match series 2-0. The first match was a washout.
KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan both hit fifties to lay the foundation for India’s imposing total of 201-6 after being put into bat at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
Saini, who took 2-18 in the second match, led the rout claiming 3-28, while Thakur grabbed two wickets to go with his 22 not out off just eight deliveries. (HT)
