Virat Kohli Shines in Vijay Hazare Trophy with Record-Breaking Performance
Kohli's Impressive Comeback in Vijay Hazare Trophy
Former Indian cricket captain and renowned batsman Virat Kohli has made a remarkable return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy, showcasing his skills with two outstanding performances for Delhi against Andhra and Gujarat. This marked his first appearance in the tournament in 15 years, with his last match dating back to February 2010.
At the age of 37, Kohli made a significant impact in India's List A domestic tournament, scoring a century and a half-century in Delhi's opening matches held at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru. In the first match against Andhra, he delivered a stellar performance, scoring 131 runs off 101 balls, leading Delhi to successfully chase a target of 299 runs in just 37.3 overs.
A Record-Heavy Return in List A Cricket
During his comeback in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Kohli reached a remarkable milestone of 16,000 runs in List A cricket, becoming the fastest player to achieve this feat in only 342 matches. He surpassed the previous record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who reached 16,000 runs in 391 innings.
Kohli's achievement also placed him as the eighth highest run-scorer in List A history, overtaking Sanath Jayasuriya's total of 16,128 runs. He now trails behind legends like Graham Gooch, Sachin Tendulkar, and Ricky Ponting, solidifying his status among cricket's elite.
Chasing Tendulkar's Century Records
Kohli's performance against Andhra marked his 58th List A century, placing him just two centuries shy of Sachin Tendulkar's record of 60. Both players are the only ones to have scored 50 or more centuries in List A cricket, highlighting their exceptional consistency.
With a batting average of 57.67 in List A, Kohli has amassed 16,207 runs, including 58 centuries and 85 fifties across 344 matches. He is also on the verge of breaking Tendulkar's record of 100 international centuries, needing just 17 more to surpass the legendary batsman.
Upcoming Challenges and Opportunities
Kohli's next challenge will be the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, commencing on January 11. With India scheduled to play 18 ODI matches in 2026, he has numerous opportunities to chase both Tendulkar's List A century record and the milestone of 100 international centuries, keeping fans and cricket analysts eagerly anticipating his performances.