Virat Kohli completes 18 years in international cricket
It was exactly 18 years ago that Indian superstar Virat Kohli began his international journey, making his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in Dambulla in 2008. 2️⃣8️⃣,3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣+International Runs 1️⃣4️⃣,9️⃣4️⃣1️⃣ ODI Runs 8️⃣5️⃣ International Centuries 1️⃣4️⃣8️⃣ International 50s 3️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣+ ICC Tournament Runs 1️⃣0️⃣ Major ICC Awards ️ 6️⃣9️⃣ POTM Awards 2️⃣1️⃣ POTS Awards 18 YEARS OF KING KOHLI!…
On August 18, 2008, Indian cricket star Virat Kohli made his international debut in One Day Internationals (ODIs) against Sri Lanka in Dambulla. At the tender age of 19, Kohli faced 22 balls and scored 12 runs before being dismissed by Nuwan Kulasekara in the eighth over. The Indian team, led by MS Dhoni, was dismissed for 146 runs, while Sri Lanka won the match by eight wickets.
Kohli's stellar career took off from that moment, and over the next 18 years, he solidified his status as one of the most prolific batters in cricket history. He has rewritten numerous records across formats and has remained a constant force to be reckoned with. One of his defining moments came during the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final against New Zealand, when he achieved his 50th ODI century, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most centuries in the format.
Beyond his century count, Kohli has earned praise for his ability to perform under pressure and consistently deliver for India. He has been named the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Decade for 2011-2020 and has solidified his reputation as one of the greatest chase masters in limited-overs cricket. His focus has shifted towards longevity, fitness, and maintaining concentration as he prepares to play his final ODI at the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Kohli's impending retirement from T20 internationals and Tests has allowed him to concentrate solely on ODIs, ensuring he is at the top of his game for the biggest stage.
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Also reported by 2 other outlets
- 18 years of ruthless Virat Kohli: The man who refused to stay ordinary timesofindia.indiatimes.com
- 'Virat Kohli was better than Sachin Tendulkar in Tests': AB de Villiers makes huge claim sports.yahoo.com
