Virat Kohli Eyes Five Major Records in West Indies ODI Series

Virat Kohli is set to return to international cricket when India face the West Indies in a three-match ODI series beginning September 27. After retiring from Test and T20I cricket, ODI cricket is now the only international format in which the former India captain continues to play.

The upcoming series could be another major chapter in Kohli’s record-breaking career, with several significant milestones within reach. The biggest of them is the 15,000-run mark in ODIs, while he also has opportunities to rewrite records against the West Indies and on home soil.

1. Fastest to 15,000 ODI Runs

Kohli needs just 59 more runs to reach 15,000 ODI runs. He currently has 14,941 runs from 302 innings.

If he reaches the landmark during the series, he will become only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to score 15,000 runs in men’s ODI cricket.

The bigger record is the speed at which he could reach it. Tendulkar took 377 innings to complete 15,000 ODI runs, while Kohli is already just 59 runs away after 302 innings.

2. Chance to Surpass Tendulkar at Home

Kohli is also closing in on another Tendulkar record.

Tendulkar scored 6,976 ODI runs on Indian soil, while Kohli currently has 6,867. That leaves him just 110 runs short of becoming India’s highest run-scorer in home ODIs.

3. 10 ODI Centuries Against West Indies

Kohli has enjoyed remarkable success against the West Indies in ODI cricket. In 43 matches, he has scored 2,261 runs at an average of 66.50, including nine centuries.

One more hundred would take him to 10 ODI centuries against the West Indies. He already has 10 ODI hundreds against Sri Lanka, meaning another century against the Caribbean side would make him the first batter to score 10 ODI centuries against two different teams.

4. Closing in on Gavaskar’s International Record Against West Indies

Kohli is also within touching distance of Sunil Gavaskar’s record for international centuries against the West Indies across formats.

Kohli currently has 12 international hundreds against the Caribbean side, while Gavaskar has 13. One century would see Kohli equal the legendary opener, while two would put him outright at the top.

5. 13,000 ODI Runs at No. 3

Kohli has built much of his ODI career batting at No. 3 and is approaching another unique milestone at that position.

He is around 180 runs short of completing 13,000 ODI runs while batting at No. 3. Reaching the mark during the West Indies series would add another distinctive record to his remarkable ODI career.

With five major milestones potentially within reach, the West Indies series promises to be another closely watched chapter in Kohli’s ODI career. The immediate target is clear: 59 runs to reach 15,000 ODI runs and join Tendulkar in an exclusive club.