Arguably the greatest batsman of the modern generation, Virat Kohli has been a revelation for Indian cricket ever since he made his debut for the national team in the year 2008. One of the most hardworking players around, Kohli has been a prolific run scorer for India across all formats but even greats are not perfect.
In a recent interview given by Mohammad Azharuddin, the former India captain believed that the current Indian Test captain could struggle against the swinging ball. Though Kohli has been in sublime form for the last couple of years, he had a horrendous run against England in their backyard unable to cope with the moving ball.
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The English bowlers persisted with the line outside the off stump and Kohli fell to their trap on numerous occasions. Though we haven’t seen him struggle in any other country but he will be wary of his downfall in English conditions and will look to rectify his record once the Men in Blue travel to England the next time around.
Kohli had a dream run in Australia in the 2014-15 series and scored 4 Test centuries in as many matches. The man from Delhi has been a brilliant performer for India in the limited overs format and has already scored 25 centuries in his career.
He is a genius at this format and has been a match winner for India. The man from Delhi has scored runs all over the world and it won’t be a surprise if he goes on to break all the records until he calls it a day. Even in T20s, he has been in sublime form scoring runs at will. Kohli was also the leading run scorer in the 2014 and 2016 World Twenty20.
Test record in India
Just like most batsmen, Virat Kohli loves playing in home conditions and has a very good record playing Test cricket in his country. Kohli has scored 3 centuries in India with 1 each against Australia, England and New Zealand.
In the 17 matches he has played in India, Kohli has scored more than 1,000 runs at an average of over 46. Playing his first Test match against the West Indies, the Delhi lad has been pivotal in India winning most of the Test series at home.
| Grouping | Span | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg | 5 | Ct | St |
| vs Australia | 2013-2013 | 4 | 284 | 107 | 56.80 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 5 | 0 |
| vs England | 2012-2012 | 4 | 188 | 103 | 31.33 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 4 | 0 |
| vs New Zealand | 2012-2012 | 2 | 212 | 103 | 106.00 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 4 | 0 |
| vs South Africa | 2015-2015 | 4 | 200 | 88 | 33.33 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| vs West Indies | 2011-2013 | 3 | 175 | 63 | 43.75 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| in India | 2011-2015 | 17 | 1059 | 107 | 46.04 | 3 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 19 | 0 |
Test record in Australia
Virat Kohli was a part of the Indian team that was thrashed 4-0 in a Test series in Australia in 2011. Kohli struggled in the first two matches but came good in the 3rd match at Perth when all other batsmen failed. He backed it up with a brilliant century at Adelaide in the last Test and showed his class when more experienced batsmen around him failed miserably. In a series, they were steamrolled, the performances of Kohli were the only bright spot.
He captained India in the next match he played Down under in the absence of MS Dhoni in December 2015. He almost helped India chase down a mammoth fourth innings total in the very first Test scoring a brilliant century and followed it up with 3 more in the next 3 Tests. This was perhaps the best ever tour for Kohli and he would savour it for the rest of his life.
| Grouping | Span | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg | 5 | Ct | St |
| in Australia | 2011-2015 | 8 | 992 | 169 | 62.00 | 5 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Test record in South Africa
In the two Test matches he played in South Africa in the year 2013, Kohli scored a century and a 96. He looked in very good touch and faced Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel with disdain.
| Grouping | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg | 5 | Ct | St |
| in South Africa | 2 | 272 | 119 | 68.00 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Test record in subcontinent (other than India)
Kohli doesn’t have a very good record playing in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. In the only Test he played in Bangladesh, Kohli scored 14 in his solitary innings. He captained India to their first Test series win in Sri Lanka in 22 years but apart from scoring a century in the 1st Test he wasn’t consistent with the bat in rest of the matches.
| Grouping | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg | 5 | Ct | St |
| in Bangladesh | 1 | 14 | 14 | 14.00 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| Grouping | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg | 5 | Ct | St |
| in Sri Lanka | 3 | 233 | 103 | 38.83 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 0 |
Test record in England
If Kohli wants to change something in his career so far then it must be his Test record in English conditions. In the 2014 series, Kohli looked totally out of sorts against the moving ball and was dismissed cheaply on several occasions. The English bowlers kept persisting with deliveries outside the off stump and Kohli kept poking at them. Kohli scored a mere 134 runs in the series in 10 innings at a below par average of 13.
| Grouping | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg | 5 | Ct | St |
| in England | 5 | 134 | 39 | 13.40 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 |
Test record in New Zealand
In the two Tests Kohli played in New Zealand, he looked in sublime touch against the likes of Tim Southee and Trent Boult and scored more than 200 runs in 2 tests. He scored a century in the 1st Test of the series.
| Grouping | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg | 5 | Ct | St |
| in New Zealand | 2 | 214 | 105* | 71.33 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Test record in West Indies
Kohli made his Test debut in West Indies but his first Test series was far from impressive. He was consistently troubled outside the off stump and gave away his wickets quite cheaply.
In 2016, the man came to the Caribbean islands as the most established batsman in world cricket and scored his maiden Test double century in the first Test of the series. He also became the 1st Indian captain to win two tests in West Indies in a single series.
| Grouping | Span | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg | 5 | Ct | St |
| in West Indies | 2011-2016 | 7 | 327 | 200 | 36.33 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 11 | 0 |
| Span | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg | 5 | Ct | St | |
| overall | 2011-2016 | 45 | 3245 | 200 | 45.06 | 12 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 42 | 0 |
ODI record in India
Virat Kohli is already considered by many as a legend in the ODI format and has been a consistent performer for India for quite long. He already has 25 ODI centuries to his name in 171 ODIs. Playing in home conditions Virat Kohli has amassed nearly 3,000 runs in 63 ODIs with 10 centuries to his name.
Kohli has scored 3 centuries against Australia, 2 each against Sri Lanka and West Indies and 1 each against England, New Zealand and South Africa.
| Grouping | Span | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg | 5 | Ct | St |
| vs Australia | 2009-2013 | 10 | 526 | 118 | 75.14 | 3 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| vs England | 2011-2013 | 11 | 433 | 112* | 54.12 | 1 | 1 | 1/20 | 72.00 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| vs Ireland | 2011-2011 | 1 | 34 | 34 | 34.00 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| vs Netherlands | 2011-2011 | 1 | 12 | 12 | 12.00 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| vs New Zealand | 2010-2010 | 5 | 234 | 105 | 58.50 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 |
| vs Pakistan | 2011-2013 | 4 | 22 | 9 | 5.50 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| vs South Africa | 2010-2015 | 9 | 334 | 138 | 41.75 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| vs Sri Lanka | 2009-2014 | 10 | 552 | 139* | 69.00 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| vs West Indies | 2011-2014 | 12 | 697 | 127 | 63.36 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| in India (overall) | 2009-2015 | 63 | 2844 | 139* | 54.69 | 10 | 1 | 1/20 | 227.00 | 0 | 27 | 0 |
ODI record in the subcontinent (apart from India)
Kohli made his ODI debut in Sri Lanka in 2008. He chipped in with two half-centuries in his debut series opening the batting. He has played a total of 18 ODIs in the island nation scoring nearly 600 runs with 2 centuries. In the bilateral series in 2012 Kohli was phenomenal scoring nearly 300 runs in 5 ODIs.
In Bangladesh Kohli has played 16 ODIs scoring nearly 1,000 runs at a staggering average of over 80. His innings of 183 against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup was of the highest caliber that enabled India to chase down a target of 330 with utmost comfort.
Career Summary
| Grouping | Span | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg | 5 | Ct | St |
| vs Bangladesh | 2010-2010 | 1 | 11 | 11 | 11.00 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| vs New Zealand | 2010-2010 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 8.00 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| vs Pakistan | 2010-2010 | 1 | 18 | 18 | 18.00 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 |
| vs Sri Lanka | 2008-2012 | 15 | 532 | 128* | 40.92 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| in Sri Lanka (overall) | 2008-2012 | 18 | 569 | 128* | 35.36 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Grouping | Span | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg | 5 | Ct | St |
| vs Afganisthan | 2014-2014 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 0 |
| vs Bangladesh | 2010-2015 | 8 | 544 | 136 | 90.66 | 3 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| vs Pakistan | 2012-2014 | 2 | 188 | 183 | 94.00 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 0 |
| vs Sri Lanka | 2010-2014 | 5 | 238 | 108 | 59.50 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| in Bangladesh (overall) | 2010-2015 | 16 | 970 | 183 | 80.83 | 5 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 11 | 0 |
ODI record in Australia
Just like his phenomenal Test record Down Under, Kohli has been a consistent run scorer for India even in ODIs. Playing his first ODI series in Australia in the year 2012, Kohli single handedly took India towards victory against Sri Lanka chasing 320 in 40 overs. His innings of 133 in 87 balls at Hobart against Sri Lanka is one of the greatest match-winning knocks of all time.
In the 2015 World Cup, Kohli scored a century against Pakistan in India’s first match but was not at his usual best for the rest of the tournament. Playing a total of 23 ODIs in Australia, Kohli has scored over 1,000 runs with 4 centuries to his name.
| Grouping | Span | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | 10 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg | 5 | Ct | St |
| vs Australia | 2012-2016 | 12 | 476 | 117 | 43.27 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| vs Bangladesh | 2015-2015 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3.00 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| vs England | 2015-2015 | 2 | 12 | 8 | 6.00 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 |
| vs Pakistan | 2015-2015 | 1 | 107 | 107 | 107.00 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 |
| vs South Africa | 2015-2015 | 1 | 46 | 46 | 46.00 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 |
| vs Sri Lanka | 2012-2012 | 4 | 291 | 133* | 97.00 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| vs U.A.E. | 2015-2015 | 1 | 33 | 33* | - | 0 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| vs West Indies | 2015-2015 | 1 | 33 | 33 | 33.00 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 0 |
| in Australia (overall) | 2012-2016 | 23 | 1001 | 133* | 50.05 | 4 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 16 | 0 |
ODI record in England
Kohli has played a total of 14 ODIs in England averaging well below his career average. Just like his Test record in English conditions, Kohli has found it hard to score even in the limited overs format. With only one century to his name, Kohli would definitely want to change his record in England in both Tests and ODIs.
| Grouping | Span | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avgh | 5 | Ct | St | Avg Diff |
| vs England | 2011-2014 | 10 | 291 | 107 | 32.33 | 1 | 1 | 1/44 | 66.00 | 0 | 4 | 0 | -33.66 |
| vs Pakistan | 2013-2013 | 1 | 22 | 22* | - | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 1 | 0 | - |
| vs South Africa | 2013-2013 | 1 | 31 | 31.00 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 | - |
| vs Sri Lanka | 2013-2013 | 1 | 58 | 58* | - | 0 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 | - |
| vs West Indies | 2013-2013 | 1 | 22 | 22 | 22.00 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
ODI record in South Africa
Kohli has played only 11 ODIs in South Africa scoring at an average of 45. Though Kohli hasn’t been very successful playing in South Africa, he has chipped in with some useful performances. The Indian batsman hasn’t scored a century in South Africa yet and would like to set his record straight once the Men in Blue visit South Africa for the next time.
| Grouping | Span | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg. | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg. | 5 | Ct | St |
| vs Australia | 2009-2009 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| vs South Africa | 2011-2013 | 8 | 224 | 87* | 37.33 | 0 | 1 | 1/15 | 54.00 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| vs Pakistan | 2009-2009 | 1 | 16 | 16 | 16.00 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| vs West Indies | 2009-2009 | 1 | 79 | 79 | 79.00 | - | 0 | - | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| in South Africa (overall) | 2009-2013 | 11 | 319 | 87* | 45.57 | 0 | 1 | 1/15 | 75.00 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
ODI record in New Zealand
The star performer has played 7 ODIs in New Zealand scoring nearly 400 runs at an average of 62. His innings of 123 against the Black Caps was not enough to win India the game but would go down as one of the best innings played in New Zealand.
| Grouping | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg. | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg. | 5 | Ct | St |
| vs Ireland | 1 | 44 | 44* | - | 0 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| vs New Zealand | 5 | 291 | 123 | 58.20 | 1 | 1 | 1/36 | 61.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| vs Zimbabwe | 1 | 38 | 38 | 38.00 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 0 |
| in New Zealand (overall) | 7 | 373 | 123 | 62.16 | 1 | 1 | 1/36 | 61.00 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
ODI record in West Indies
Kohli doesn’t have a very good record in the Caribbean shores scoring only 347 runs in 10 matches. He has a century to his name but in rest of the matches, he hasn’t scored as much as he would have liked.
| Grouping | Span | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg. | 5 | Ct | St |
| vs Sri Lanka | 2013-2013 | 3 | 35 | 31 | 11.66 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| vs West Indies | 2011-2013 | 7 | 312 | 102 | 34.70 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| in West Indies (overall) | 2011-2013 | 10 | 347 | 102 | 34.70 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 5 | 0 |
ODI record in Zimbabwe
He was a member of the 2nd string Indian team that toured Zimbabwe in 2010 under the captaincy of Suresh Raina. Though he didn’t score heavily, he was useful in some matches. In total, the Delhi lad has played 9 ODIs in Zimbabwe scoring at an average of over 60. He has also scored a century against Zimbabwe.
| Grouping | Span | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg. | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg | 5 | Ct | St |
| vs Sri Lanka | 2010-2010 | 2 | 150 | 82 | 75.00 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 |
| vs Zimbabwe | 2010-2013 | 7 | 215 | 115 | 53.75 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| in Zimbabwe (overall) | 2010-2013 | 9 | 365 | 115 | 60.83 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Span | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg. | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg. | 5 | Ct | St | Avg. Diff |
| 2008-2016 | 171 | 7212 | 183 | 51.51 | 25 | 4 | 1/15 | 159.00 | 0 | 83 | 0 | -107.48 |
Overall T20I record
To go with his extraordinary ODI record, Virat Kohli has been a performer par excellence when it comes to T20Is. He has scored nearly 1,700 T20 international runs at a staggering average of 58 in 43 matches. In the Twenty 20 World Cup in 2014 Kohli was the highest run scorer taking India to the finals of the tournament. Even in the final he scored 70 odd but was not enough to win the cup for India.
In the previous edition of the tournament played in 2016, Kohli almost single-handedly took India to the semi-finals beating Australia in a nerve-wracking encounter.
| Span | Matches | Runs | HS | Bat Avg. | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Bowl Avg. | 5 | Ct | St | Avg Diff |
| 2010-2016 | 43 | 1641 | 90* | 58.60 | 0 | 4 | 1/13 | 49.50 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 9.10 |
Kohli has been a champion batsman in each and every format but would look to better his record in the English conditions where he has struggled against the moving ball. With the amount of talent he has and the hard work he puts in, it won’t be a surprise if Kohli goes on to become one of the greatest batsmen of all time until he calls it quits.
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