In his illustrious T20I career, Virat Kohli has left an indelible mark as one of the most prolific batsmen in the format. With 4188 runs in 125 matches at an impressive average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04, Kohli stands as the second-highest scorer in T20Is. He achieved the milestone of 3500 runs in just 96 innings, making him the fastest player to reach this mark.
Not only has Kohli excelled in regular T20I matches, but he has also shone in T20 World Cups, finishing as the highest run-scorer in T20I World Cups with 1292 runs in 35 matches. His stellar performances in the 2014 and 2022 editions of the T20 World Cup solidified his reputation as a batting powerhouse. Kohli’s 319 runs in the 2014 World Cup at an average of 106.33 remain the highest run tally by any batsman in a single edition of the tournament.
Recognizing Kohli’s contributions to the game, he was named in the ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Decade from 2011 to 2020. However, in terms of overall T20I runs, Kohli comes second to his compatriot Rohit Sharma, who has amassed 4231 runs in 159 matches. Rohit, known as the Hitman, has also made his mark with five T20I centuries, matching the record held by Australia’s Glenn Maxwell.
As captains of the Indian T20I team, both Kohli and Rohit have led their side with distinction. Rohit, in particular, has an impressive record of 49 wins in 62 T20I matches as captain, including leading India to victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007 under MS Dhoni’s leadership. Rohit announced his retirement from T20Is after the T20 World Cup final, marking his 50th win as captain and expressing his love for the format where he began his international career.
In conclusion, Kohli and Rohit have been stalwarts of Indian cricket in the T20I format, setting records and leading their team to success on many occasions. Their contributions to the game will be remembered for years to come, and they leave a lasting legacy in the world of cricket.
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