Virat Kohli, the batting maestro, is set to make a grand return to India’s T20I team against Afghanistan on January 11, marking his comeback after a hiatus since November 2022. This fixture, the first of a three-match series, will witness Kohli’s much-anticipated return to the shortest format of the game, aligning with his preparations for the IPL 2024 and the forthcoming T20 World Cup.
With an illustrious record of 4008 runs in 115 T20Is, Kohli stands as the top run-scorer in the format for India. His absence from the T20 arena, since his last appearance for Royal Challengers Bangalore against the Gujarat Titans in May 2023, has created fervent excitement among fans, eager to witness the 35-year-old’s masterful return to the Indian blue jersey. Notably, his last white-ball match dates back to India’s defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final.
In the upcoming clash against Afghanistan, hosted in Mohali where Kohli has amassed 156 runs in three T20Is, all eyes will be on his pursuit to etch his name in history. Requiring a mere 35 runs in this series opener, Kohli aims to become the first Indian cricketer to achieve the remarkable milestone of scoring 12,000 runs in T20 cricket. His current tally stands at 11,965 runs across 374 T20 matches, encompassing his contributions in various tournaments and leagues.
Kohli’s monumental contributions span across different platforms, showcasing his batting prowess. Within his T20I career for India, he’s amassed 4008 runs in 115 matches, while his IPL journey with Royal Challengers Bangalore boasts an impressive 7263 runs in 237 appearances. Additionally, his exploits extend to the Champions League T20, where he registered 424 runs in 15 matches for RCB. Notably, his domestic cricket outings with Delhi have yielded 270 runs in seven matches, adding depth to his exceptional track record.
In the broader landscape of T20 cricket, the legendary Chris Gayle from the West Indies leads the charge with an extraordinary 14,562 runs in 463 matches, setting the benchmark for batting prowess in this format. His aggressive batting style has seen him secure 22 centuries and 88 fifties while representing numerous teams.
Following Gayle’s dominance, Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik stands tall with 12,993 runs in 525 T20s, followed closely by his West Indies compatriot, Kieron Pollard, who boasts 12,390 runs in 637 T20Is. Kohli’s remarkable tally places him in the fourth position among the top run-scorers in T20 cricket. Meanwhile, India’s skipper Rohit Sharma, renowned for his exceptional batting skills, has amassed 11,035 runs in 423 matches, securing the eighth spot on the prestigious list.
As Kohli gears up for this historic moment, his return to the Indian T20 squad not only ignites excitement among fans but also reignites the anticipation for his electrifying presence in the IPL 2024 edition. With an illustrious career and countless milestones to his name, Kohli’s pursuit of cricketing glory continues to captivate audiences worldwide, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s modern greats.