WI vs IND | Virat Kohli On The Cusp Of Joining Tendulkar, Ponting, Sangakkara For A Major ODI Record
Virat Kohli celebrates his 45th ODI century (AP)
India, after routing West Indies 1-0 in the Test series, will now face hosts in three ODI matches across Bridgetown and Trinidad. While the series serves as a testing ground for the ‘Men in Blue’ for the much-awaited ODI World Cup later this year, it also presents a unique opportunity for Virat Kohli to add another feather to his illustrious hat prior to the prestigious tournament.
Notably, Kohli recently listed a majestic Test century in the second of the two Tests against West Indies. He unleashed 121 to notch up his 29th Test ton and his 76th across all internationals so far.
Virat Kohli likely to join an elite batting club in WI ODIs
Virat Kohli, who made his ODI debut back in August 2008 against Sri Lanka, has so far piled up 12,898 runs in the format at an imperial average of 57.32. The right-hander has struck 65 half-centuries and 46 hundreds to his name, and is currently second in the race of leading century-makers in ODIs after the great Sachin Tendulkar (49).
Just 102 runs away from scaling the 13,000-run mark in ODI cricket, one can expect the batting legend to reach the milestone during the course of his impending three-match assignment in West Indies. In doing so, he will become only the fifth cricketer in ODI history to cross 13,000 runs after Tendulkar (18,426 runs), Kumar Sangakkara (14,234 runs), Ricky Ponting (13,704 runs) and Sanath Jayasuriya (13,430 runs).
Kohli’s ODI average of 66.50 against West Indies makes him a clear favourite to join the elite bandwagon in the upcoming series itself.
India’s first two ODI matches against the hosts will be hosted by the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown on July 27 and July 29. The action will then shift to Tarouba’s Brian Lara Cricket Academy for the final match on August 1.
 "Aakash Saini")
