On this day in 2008, India captain made his international debut; 13 Years of Virat Kohli
On this day, thirteen years ago (August 18), the 32-year-old played his first ODI and has gone to establish himself as one of the finest run-chasers in the history of cricket. This truly has been a remarkable journey as the talismanic batsman kept going better and shattered one record after another.
For the unversed, the Delhi-born cricketer was selected in the national team months after leading India Under-19 to the U-19 World Cup in Malaysia. He made his international debut during the first ODI of India’s 2008 tour of Sri Lanka. With both Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag not being available, Kohli was asked to open the innings at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla.
India went on to lift the 2011 World Cup and Virat Kohli, playing his maiden World Cup, made his presence felt right from the opening encounter. Playing against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in India's first match, Kohli scored 100 off 83 balls and provided great support to Virender Sehwag, who finished the contest with 170 off 140 balls. Riding on their efforts, India put a strong 370/4, as Bangladesh could only manage 283/9 in response.
Virat Kohli played one of his best ODI knocks in Hobart, Australia, as India completed an epic-run chase to register their place in the finals of the Commonwealth Bank tri-series in 2012. The match against Sri Lanka required India to finish the run-chase in 40 overs to qualify for the finals.
Some amazing facts about Indian skipper Virat Kohli -
Virat Kohli Best Dressed International Men
Virat Kohli became the fastest player to score 10,000 runs and broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record.
Virat Kohli is the fastest Indian cricketer to reach 1000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000, 10,000 ODI runs.
Virat Kohli was the Only Indian to score a hundred on his World Cup debut.
Virat Kohli captained the India Under-19 team to the U-19 World Cup in 2008.
Virat Kohli a wicket off his first delivery in T20Is. Virat Kohli got England’s Kevin Pietersen wicket on the first ball of his career.
Virat Kohli reached the number one spot in the ICC rankings for ODI batsmen for the first time in 2013.
Virat Kohli became the fastest Indian to score 1000 runs in T20 Internationals.
Virat Kohli has been retained by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) of the Indian Premier League.
He is widely credited for helping change the way India played its Test cricket, especially in overseas conditions. Kohli, who has 27 hundred in 94 Tests, has been going through a lean patch in the longest format of the game but the captain in him has been getting the job done. Kohli led India to a 151-run win over England in the recently-concluded 2nd Test at Lord's earlier this week. The Asian giants, who defeated Australia in Australia earlier this year, are looking to win their first-ever Test series in England since 2007.
