Virat Kohli Set To Be First Indian to Create ‘This’ Unique Record In T20s
Virat Kohli needs 35 more runs to become the first Indian to complete 12,000 runs in T20. (x.com)
Virat Kohli is set to grace the T20I cricket for India after a hiatus of 14 months. The much-anticipated return is scheduled for Sunday, January 14, at Holkar Stadium, where India faces Afghanistan in the second T20I of a three-match series.
The debate surrounding Kohli's presence in the shortest format of the game has reignited, gaining momentum as the focus shifts to the impending T20 World Cup. Team combinations are under scrutiny, and the urgency to finalize the lineup looms large. Regardless of the ongoing debate, Kohli's numbers in T20s are undeniable, evident in his staggering statistics.
The former India captain, holding the record for the most runs in T20Is (4008 runs in 115 matches), last graced the T20 stage on November 10, 2022. His absence from the shortest format ended with his last T20 match for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Gujarat Titans in May 2023, preceding the IPL and the T20 World Cup in 2024.
The cricketing great is on the verge of etching his name in history, aiming to become the first Indian to breach the 12,000-run mark in T20s (IPL + T20s). Currently, Kohli boasts an impressive tally of 11,965 runs in the format, a mere 35 runs away from achieving the milestone. If successful, he will join the elite ranks of only three other players globally who have accomplished this feat.
The current record-holders are West Indian powerhouse Chris Gayle, with 14,562 runs in 463 matches, Pakistan's Shoaib Malik, amassing 12,993 runs in 525 matches, and the dynamic Keiron Pollard, securing 12,421 runs in 638 matches. Kohli's imminent milestone reflects his exceptional contribution to T20 cricket.
| PLAYER | INNINGS | RUNS |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Gayle | 455 | 14562 |
| Shoaib Malik | 486 | 12993 |
| Kieron Pollard | 566 | 12421 |
| Virat Kohli | 357 | 11965 |
Fans are excited as Kohli, aged 35, steps back into the blue jersey for India. His last white-ball appearance was in the ICC World Cup 2023 final, marking his return to T20s ahead of the 2024 IPL edition and the T20 World Cup.
As the ongoing three-match T20I series against Afghanistan unfolds, India secured victory in the first match at Mohali. The anticipation for the second clash at Holkar Stadium, Indore, on January 14, is building, with fans eagerly awaiting Kohli's return to T20 cricket.
 "Sumit Gupta")
