Former India skipper Virat Kohli has made a lot of records across formats for the team. From 2008 up until now, he looks like one of those players who can break some of Sachin Tendulkar’s records. Even though he might not be able to break every Tendulkar record, let’s have a look at those records (not only Tendulkar but overall) that Kohli can break this year.
Three records that Virat Kohli can break this year
1. Going past Sachin Tendulkar’s record of ODI hundreds
Former India skipper Sachin Tendulkar has 49 ODI hundreds in 463 games. For the first few years (from 1989 to 1993). In 1994, the Maestro got the opportunity to open the batting and he never looked back. On the other hand, after playing only 274 games, Kohli has 46 hundreds.
The 2011 World Cup winner, alongside Sachin, will play a three-match ODI series against the West Indies next week. He will get the opportunity to level Sachin’s record, given if he carries the 2018 form (For context, Virat scored three back-to-back hundreds against West Indies at home). Apart from this, India will play the Asia Cup, ODIs against Australia and ODI World Cup which will give him enough opportunity to break the record.
2. Becoming second player to score 5000 runs against Australia in ODIs
Sachin Tendulkar is the only player across the globe to score 5000 runs against the Aussies (6707 to be exact in 144 innings) across formats. Currently, Virat is the only player who is close to 500 runs against the Kangaroos.
The right-hander has 4559 runs and might play an ODI series against Australia before the World Cup. Also, India will play their first ODI World Cup game against Australia. These games will give him an opportunity to go past 5000 runs.
3. Touch the batting average of 50 in Test cricket
Ahead of the BGT series 2023, his batting average fell to 48.90. For any other player, they will be considered legends of the game. However, in the last game against Australia and in the two games against West Indies, his two centuries and one fifty have helped him reach an average of 49.29
If he gets to bat in the second innings of the ongoing game, he might get another big score and his average will touch 50. However, if this doesn’t happen, he might still do it against South Africa in the Boxing Day Test at the end of this year.