NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli added another historic chapter to his illustrious career on Wednesday, becoming only the second Indian cricketer after Sachin Tendulkar to complete 16,000 List A runs. The landmark came during his return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he produced a vintage knock for Delhi against Andhra.
Kohli’s innings ended at a commanding 131, as Delhi chased down a competitive target of 299 in just 37.4 overs, underlining their dominance in the contest. The achievement stands as one of the most significant milestones in the 50-over format.
Overall, the 37-year-old is the ninth player in world cricket to reach the 16,000-run mark in List A cricket, joining an elite club that includes Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakkara, Sir Vivian Richards, and other legends of the game.
The knock was particularly special given the context of Kohli’s return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His last appearance in the competition came during the 2010–11 season, when he captained Delhi. Although he featured in the NKP Salve Challenger Trophy in 2013–14, Kohli had not played the Vijay Hazare Trophy for nearly a decade before this much-anticipated comeback. Expectations were high following his recent masterclass in a T20I against South Africa, and he delivered in emphatic fashion.
Kohli’s List A achievements mirror his dominance in ODIs, where he is the second-highest run-scorer in history, behind only Tendulkar. The former India captain has amassed 14,557 runs in 308 ODIs, averaging an exceptional 58.46, and holds the record for the most centuries in the format with 53. Tendulkar leads the charts with 18,426 runs in 463 matches and 49 centuries.
Kohli is also closing in on another of Tendulkar’s long-standing records of the most centuries in List A cricket. He currently has 57 hundreds, just three shy of Tendulkar’s tally of 60.
Since making his List A debut for Delhi in February 2006 during the Ranji Trophy One-Day tournament, Kohli’s career has been adorned with numerous accolades. Over the years, he has consistently delivered standout performances across domestic and international competitions, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest batters in the history of the 50-over game.
Agencies