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Virat Kohli goes beyond Tendulkar, Shakib to reach another major career landmark vs SA

Rajgeeta Yadav

Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar [Source: AFP]Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar [Source: AFP]

India superstar Virat Kohli created another historic record during the third ODI against South Africa on December 6. Batting at No. 3, Kohli scored an unbeaten 65 runs off just 45 balls. His innings included 6 fours and 3 sixes, and he built a strong 116-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who also remained not out with a brilliant 116. 

Their efforts helped India chase down South Africa’s total of 271 in only 39.5 overs, giving India a huge 9-wicket win in the deciding match of the series.

Kohli becomes first batter to win 20 “Player of the Series” awards

With this performance, Kohli was named Player of the Series. Across the three matches, he scored a total of 302 runs at an incredible average of 151, including two centuries and one fifty. 

This outstanding run made him the first cricketer in history to win 20 Player of the Series awards across all formats, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record of 19. Behind them is Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan with 17 such awards.

Most player of the series awards across formats

  • 20* - Virat Kohli (India)
  • 19 - Sachin Tendulkar (India)
  • 17 - Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)

During the post-match presentation, Kohli said he was most satisfied with how consistently he played throughout the series. He said,

“When you play for that long — 15-16 years — you do doubt yourself. Especially as a batter when one mistake can get you out. It's a whole journey of getting better and getting better as a person along the way. It improves you as a person and it improves temperament as well."

In ODIs, Kohli has now matched Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya with 11 Player of the Series awards. Sachin Tendulkar still leads this list with 14 ODI POTS titles. 

Many consider Kohli the greatest ODI batter of modern cricket, and his record against South Africa supports that reputation, he has scored 1806 runs in just 34 ODIs against them. Only Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, and Kumar Sangakkara have more ODI runs against the Proteas.

In the final match of the series, India comfortably chased the target of 271 thanks to strong performances from the top order. Besides Kohli and Jaiswal, captain Rohit Sharma also contributed with a solid 75. With this win, India secured yet another home ODI series victory, 10 out of their last 11.