Kohli scales Mt 10k, betters Sachin
MILESTONE MAN India skipper is the fastest to mark, taking 54 ODI innings fewer than his idol while scoring 157*
Runs (per innings)
V KOHLI (IND) 10 yrs & 67 days Runs per innings 50 V Kohli - Runs (innings) (114) (136) S Tendulkar - Runs (innings) (161) Runs (innings)
J Miandad (Pak)
M Waugh (Aus) Average
V Kohli (Ind)
J Kallis (SA) R Raja (Pak)
From four figures to five – for most young and restless of the 90s India it would mean a leap of hope, when reflected on the salary slip. For the millennial populace, it’s just the start of their lofty ambitions.
The paradigm shift reflected on the two generation’s cricket idols too. From 1990s Sachin Tendulkar to 2010s Virat Kohli, from one 10,000 mark in ODIs to another. The five-figure milestone has stayed the same, but the pace and dreams surrounding it have changed.
When Tendulkar achieved it in 2001 in an ODI against Australia, it was a feat unheard of in limited overs cricket. Something only the greatest could do, and that too in 259 innings – a record that stood for 17 years.
When Kohli reached the mark in 54 fewer innings here on Wednesday, with a single off Windies off-spinner Ashley Nurse in the 37th over of the second ODI, it almost seemed a natural progression for the man whose aggression and tenacity has led a nation to believe he can guide India to the World Cup next year in England.
No wonder Kohli is being seen as the successor to Tendulkar in Indian cricket.
VISAKHAPATNAM:
MASTERS
Kohli and Tendulkar is a study in contrast; and yet, they are similar in many ways. While Tendulkar’s favourite shot was the straight drive Kohli pins faith in the cover drive, even in this T20 era.
And yet, while the Master Blaster looked up to the skies in prayer after scoring a ton, Kohli would celebrate his centuries with a flying kiss to his wife in the stands. Maybe it’s just a sign of changing times.
Whatever may be their individual process, both are the darling of Indian public. It was evident from the moment, Kohli walked into the ACA-VDCA Stadium here two days earlier.
The India captain’s every catch was cheered on, which only grew louder when Kohli won the toss and chose to bat. The anticipation reached a notch higher in the fourth over when Rohit Sharma departed and Kohli took guard. He let Shikhar Dhawan seize the initiative as he sat back.
Kohli was probed a few times outside off by Kemar Roach, but he did not budge. He was a picture of concentration even after Dhawan fell in the ninth over.
Faced with the risk of an unsteady middle-order getting exposed, Kohli dug deep to stem the rot, a complete change in approach from his innings in the first ODI in Guwahati.
The 30-year-old Kohli had zeroed in on Ambati Rayudu (73) as the perfect candidate for No 4 and he repaid the faith, the two stitching a 139-run stand. West Indies spinners Devendra Bishoo and Ashley Nurse got turn from the pitch and bowled a disciplined line. But Kohli was ready to wait for the ball to come in to make space and go after the bowlers.
There were minor blips too. In the 23rd over, with Kohli on 44, rival captain Jason Holder dropped him at mid-off, leaving debutant left-arm pacer Obed McCoy fuming in frustration.
Kohli’s and Rayudu’s stand ended in the 33rd over. Enter MS Dhoni at No 5. Finally, the moment came in the 37th over when Kohli took a single off Nurse to climb Mt 10000.
There were no wild celebrations, only a broad smile lit up Kohli’s face, that too on Dhoni’s prodding.
Kohli had become the 13th player overall, and fifth Indian, to breach the 10000 run mark, although he the fastest to achieve that.
Kohli upped the ante from the 47th over as he took McCoy and Roach to the cleaners en route to his 37th ODI ton, improving on own record of fastest 1000 runs in a calendar year – 11 innings. Courtesy his unbeaten 157, India set West Indies a 322-run target.
With age on his side, and fitness his motto, only a drastic loss of form can stop Kohli from scaling more such heady heights.