4 little-known records held by Indian batsmen in ODIs

India has always been recognized as a batting powerhouse and rightly so. The Indian batsmen are often idolized and portrayed as demi-gods by the fans. The fact that all the biopics so far made on Indian cricketers have had Indian batsmen as their subjects speaks volumes about the adulation showered on Indian batsmen, a privilege rarely extended to bowlers. No words would ever suffice to describe the fan following enjoyed by Indian batsmen.

However, this is not without reason. That Indian batsmen hold several records in international cricket, especially in the ODI arena, is a known fact. Sachin Tendulkar is the proud owner of several batting records against his name such as the most runs, half-centuries and centuries, which enabled him to reach the zenith of batsmanship and fan-following. Virat Kohli is well on track to appropriate some of these feats.

Apart from the well-known records mentioned above, Indian batsmen also hold several other records that are unknown to many. Here we have a look at 4 such records held by Indian batsmen which are unknown to many.

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#1 Virat Kohli - Most runs in a bilateral series

Virat Kohli is currently at the peak of his career. It is not without reason that he currently ranks amongst the top 3 in batting rankings in all 3 formats. Scoring centuries and dispatching bowlers all around the park has become a part of his daily routine. So far, Kohli has enjoyed an incredible 2018 with him winning the Player of the Tournament awards in the Test series in England and the ODI series in South Africa.

In the South Africa ODI series, Kohli broke the record for the most runs in an ODI series. Kohli scored 558 runs in 6 matches at an astounding average of 186 which included 3 tons and a half-century.

The previous record was held by Indian vice-captain Rohit Sharma who scored 491 runs in the 7-match series held in India in 2013. Interestingly, Kohli is the only player in ODI history to have scored 500+ runs in a bilateral series.

#2 Virender Sehwag - Most runs by a captain in an ODI innings

Virender Sehwag was one of the most destructive batsmen of his generation. The mere sight of Sehwag in full flow would send chills down the spine of any bowler. His lackluster feet movement was compensated by his terrific hand-eye coordination which enabled him to destroy and dominate even the best bowlers of his generation. The fact that Sehwag scored more than 8000 ODI runs at a strike rate in excess of 100 speaks volumes of his greatness.

Sehwag holds the record for the highest score in an innings by a captain in ODI cricket. Sehwag scored 219 runs in an ODI in Indore against West Indies, a series in which regular skipper MS Dhoni was rested and Sehwag was named as stand-in captain. Sehwag simply bludgeoned the Windies attack as India won the match by a huge margin of 153 runs.

Interestingly, the second entry in the list is also an Indian - Rohit Sharma, who scored a mammoth 208 against Sri Lanka in only his 3rd ODI as captain. Sachin Tendulkar also finds himself at no.4 in the list, after Sri Lankan dasher Sanath Jayasuriya.

#3 Sachin Tendulkar - Most runs in a calendar year

The year 1998 witnessed the best of Sachin Tendulkar, as he effortlessly shredded bowling attacks

Any batting record list is incomplete without the mention of arguably the greatest batsmen of ODI cricket - Sachin Tendulkar. Thus it comes as no surprise that Sachin finds himself in this list. Sachin was synonymous with consistency throughout his playing days. He was the supreme torchbearer of India's batting line-up for a large part of his career.

Apart from the well-established feats enshrined in Sachin' cap throughout his coveted career, he also holds the record for the most runs by a batsman in a single calendar year in ODIs. Sachin amassed 1894 runs in 34 ODIs at a staggering average of 65.31, in the year 1998. His longtime compatriot Sourav Ganguly comes next on the list, having amassed 1767 runs 41 matches in the succeeding year. Rahul Dravid comes in next, having enjoyed a stellar 1999 with 1761 runs.

Sachin was also the leading run-getter in the year 1996 (1611 runs) and second highest run-getter in 2007 (1425 runs). Several Indian batsmen such as Ganguly, Virat Kohli etc. frequently mark this coveted list with their presence. This speaks volumes about the dominance of Indian batsmen in the ODI arena.

#4 Sachin Tendulkar - Most centuries against one team

It is no surprise that the world's most statistically accomplished batsman Sachin Tendulkar finds his name etched on to several batting laurels. Sachin was the chief tormentor of the most famed Australian bowling attack during his playing days. Even spin king Shane Warne once revealed that the thought of bowling to Sachin gave him nightmares.

Sachin holds the record for the most centuries against a single team in ODIs. He scored 9 centuries against Australia - an ODI record for the most tons versus a single opposition. His successor and current skipper Virat Kohli comes in next, with 8 centuries against Sri Lanka. Sachin also has scored 8 centuries against the Islanders.

As with the other feats, Sachin finds his name more than once in this list. He is accompanied by fellow countrymen Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Virender Sehwag, to name a few. Sehwag, with 6 tons vs New Zealand, finds himself at number 6 in the list.