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Virat Kohli Topples 'Ponting' For Huge ODI Record With Brilliant Fifty vs AUS

image-lnhmi28yVirat Kohli celebrates his half-century against Australia in 2023 World Cup (AP)

Demons from the 2019 World Cup came back to haunt Team India in their 2023 opener at home against Australia, as the hosts lost each of their first three wickets for ducks in Chennai. Thankfully for the ‘Men in Blue’, number three batsman Virat Kohli rescued his side from their unwavering start, and claimed a huge ODI batting record while doing so.

Kohli carefully crafted his way to a cautious half-century and shared 100 tense runs with KL Rahul in their modest 200-run task against Australia.

Virat Kohli claims new ODI height with world record

Virat Kohli seems to be consistently establishing new batting records with each innings these days, showcasing a remarkable proficiency in the game. Barely a month after becoming the fastest cricketer in history to complete 13,000 ODI runs, Kohli has now become the fastest player in the world to score 11,000 runs in the format while batting at number three.

The Indian batting veteran soared past previous-record holder Ricky Ponting through his rebellious run-chase innings against Australia at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. Batting at number three, Kohli made his way to the crease within the opening over before Team India slumped further at 2-3.

Thereafter, the legendary batsman compiled a cautious half-century, an innings which also took him past the 11,000-run mark at the position. Notably, Kohli achieved the feat in just the 215th innings of his career at number three, racing to the landmark in over a 100 innings quicker than Ricky Ponting.

Ponting eventually retired from international cricket with 12,662 ODI runs from 330 innings at number three to his name at an average of 42.49. Kohli’s average, on the other hand, stands above 60 as he gradually makes his way to the top.

Kumar Sangakkara is number three on the list of most-prolific number three ODI batters, having minted 9,747 runs from 238 innings at 44.71.