ICC World Cup 2023 | Virat Kohli - Records, Profile & SWOT Analysis

image-lmvtb8itVirat Kohli has over 13000 ODI runs (Source: X.com)

The World Cup is just around the corner and to add to the hype, it is in India, a cricket crazy nation that is desperate for its team to lift the ICC title since a decade now. The silver lining is that they won the World Cup last time around when it was played in India and Rohit along with his team will be eager to repeat the history after 12 long years.

If we have to choose one man who will grab the most limelight in this World Cup, it will be none other than Virat Kohli. He is India's key player and thrives in pressure, and undoubtedly whole India would be banking on him to take them to the third 50-over World Cup title.


Virat Kohli Player Profile

Virat Kohli made his debut back in 2008 against Sri Lanka at Dambulla as an opener, replacing an injured Virender Sehwag. The talented youngster soon made his mark with his consistent performances and made himself an irreplaceable asset for team with truckloads of runs across formats. He was a youngster in the 2011 World Cup win and since then, has carried the mantle of Indian cricket with great distinction.

image-lmuljsisVirat Kohli (AP Photo)

Virat Kohli Records

Virat Kohli has now over 13000 runs in ODIs with a career average of well over 57 and strike rate of 93. He has 47 centuries as well in ODIs and is truly a modern legend.

Format
Matches
Inns
Runs
Average
SR
50/100
Overall in ODIs280
2681302757.3893.7965/47
In World Cups2626103046.8186.706/2


Virat Kohli: SWOT Analysis

Strengths

  • Ability to deliver under pressure: Virat Kohli is a man for big occasions and he has proved time and again, that there is no one better than him when the going gets tough. He has won India numerous matches from hopeless situations and is known as a chase-master for a reason.
  • Consistency: Virat Kohli's name has been synonymous with consistency over the years. His average and 47 hundreds prove that the man is a run-machine and it is  this assured nature of his batting, that makes him a key asset for India in the World Cup.
  • Experience of playing a World Cup in India: Virat Kohli is the only player in the current Indian squad who played in the 2011 World Cup. The pressure of playing a World Cup is at a different level and Kohli has experienced it in at the age of just 22. He has also played most World Cups for India in the current lot and his experience will be a key factor.


Weakness

Recent Struggle vs left-arm orthodox spinners - Since 2022, Virat Kohli has struggled against left-arm orthodox spinners. He has scored 104 runs in 159 balls and has been dismissed 8 times. This can be a bit of problem for Kohli against teams with good left-arm spinners.

Tends to lose wicket while chasing a wide delivery - It is hard to find a weakness of Virat Kohli, especially in his ODI game but he has shown a bit of vulnerability against the moving ball in that fifth, sixth stump line. He has often being dismissed trying to drive a widish delivery and this is one area where the bowlers can frustrate him by bowling consistently and making him play away from his body.

Opportunity

World Cup in ODI Format: Virat Kohli is an exceptional player across formats and there is no one better than him in ODI format. He is a master of ODI format and knows the rhythm of the 50-over game in and out. Now, with World Cup at home and that too in his famous ODI format, it is a great opportunity for him to make a lasting impact and add another World Cup title to his illustrious career.

Threats

Performance in knockouts of 50-over World Cups: Virat Kohli averages 46.81 in World Cups but he has not got a big score in five knockout games he has played. His highest score is 35, which he scored in the 2011 World Cup final and need to rectify this record, if India wants to lift the title at home once again.

Player Rating

Technique vs Pace: 8/10
Technique vs Spin: 7.5/10
Temperament: 9.5/10
Range: 9.5/10
Experience:10/10

Overall - 8.9/10