Virat Kohli achieved an incredible milestone by becoming the inaugural batter to tally over 2000 runs in a calendar year for the seventh time on Thursday during the first Test match against South Africa. This surpassed the record held by Kumar Sangakkara, who achieved this feat in six calendar years.
On a tricky wicket that largely suited seamers, Dean Elgar exhibited a cricketing masterpiece, compiling an outstanding innings of 185 runs off 287 deliveries. This amazing performance transpired at Centurion, Elgar’s home soil, giving a sentimental depth to his outstanding hitting. Up against a quality Indian bowling attack, Elgar’s performance contained 28 boundaries, a clear tribute to his brilliance in negotiating through the hurdles of a challenging surface. Beyond only establishing South Africa’s place, Elgar’s innings reinforced his stature as a cricketing powerhouse.
As the day dragged on, India found themselves wrestling with a stiff hurdle in their second innings. The scoreboard revealed the narrative of a meager 131 runs, underscoring the tough circumstances provided by the South African bowlers. Despite the uphill effort, Virat Kohli demonstrated tremendous perseverance in the second inning, delivering a commendable contribution of 76 runs.
Virat Kohli’s recent innings weren’t just a showcase of his skill; they marked a significant milestone in his career. Kohli achieved an impressive feat by scoring over 2000 international runs in a single calendar year for the seventh time, surpassing the previous record held by Kumar Sangakkara. This accomplishment underscored Kohli’s resurgence in 2023, bouncing back from a relatively subdued performance in the years 2020–2022.
Kohli’s exceptional form continued into the ODI World Cup 2023, where he emerged as the leading run-scorer with a remarkable total of 765 runs. This not only played a pivotal role in India’s campaign but also solidified Kohli’s reputation as a consistent and impactful player on the global stage.
Having faced criticism for his performances in the preceding years, Virat Kohli’s comeback in 2023 has been truly spectacular. The cricketing world witnessed Kohli’s return to form, making a resounding impact and confirming his status as one of the premier batsmen globally.
Batters with 2000+ runs in a year:
- Virat Kohli – 7*
- Kumar Sangakkara – 6
- Mahela Jayawardene – 5
- Sachin Tendulkar – 5
- Jacques Kallis – 4
- Matthew Hayden – 4
- Ricky Ponting – 4
- Sourav Ganguly – 4
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