Virat Kohli becomes first player to score over 2000 runs in seven different calendar years

Ace Indian batter Virat Kohli is undoubtedly one of the greatest batters of this generation. Kohli has been a stalwart for the Indian team over the years, breaking records after records and it is safe to say that the 35-year-old is one of the most important players in India’s arsenal.

The star batter broke another record after his resilient knock in the first Test against South Africa. Scoring 76 runs in 82 deliveries, Kohli became the first batter to score 2000 runs in seven different calendar years.

He had previously achieved the feat in 2012 (2186 runs), 2014 (2286 runs), 2016 (2595 runs), 2017 (2818 runs), 2018 (2735 runs), and 2019 (2455 runs), and it is worth noting that no other player has achieved such a feat since the advent of international cricket.

Virat Kohli breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s record 

Kohli’s record-breaking streak did not end in the first Test against South Africa as the 35-year-old went on to become India’s leading run-getter against South Africa, breaking the record of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. In 29 matches so far, Kohli has scored 1750 runs against South Africa, whereas Tendulkar had scored 1724 runs in 38 matches against the Proteas. 

Despite Kohli’s masterful knock, India was unable to cross the finish line and register a win. Conceding 408 runs in the first innings, India only managed to score 131 in the second innings as the Proteas won the game by an innings and 32 runs.

The visitors got off to a horrid start in the second innings as openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal scored zero and five runs, respectively. Shubman Gill was dismissed for just 26 runs as well, with Kohli being the highest run-getter with 76 runs to his name.

As for the Proteas, Nandre Burger was the highest wicket taker with four to his name while Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada took three and two, respectively.