Indian stalwart Virat Kohli (Image; IANS)
As India begin their three-match ODI series against the West Indies on September 27, Kohli carries a staggering record against the Caribbean side – 2,261 runs in 43 matches at an average of 66.50, including nine centuries and 11 fifties. Kohli already has 10 ODI centuries against Sri Lanka, and another hundred against West Indies would make him the first batter in ODI history to score 10 centuries against two different teams. 157 off 129, Visakhapatnam, 2018* – This remains Kohli’s highest ODI score against West Indies. His unbeaten 157 came with 13 fours and four sixes and also delivered the 10,000-run milestone.
Virat Kohli is returning to the format that has arguably defined his international career, and the West Indies are one of his favourite opponents. And now, he is just a century awaya to create a unique ODI record. Kohli has already scored more ODI centuries against West Indies than any other batter, with nine hundreds to his name. That puts an intriguing milestone in front of him in the upcoming series. Kohli’s record against West Indies is not simply built on volume. Several of his most memorable ODI performances have come against the Caribbean side.
He reached the landmark in just 205 innings, breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s previous record of 259 innings. Kohli became the 13th batter to enter the 10,000-run club but did it considerably faster than anyone before him.
He scored 453 runs in India’s five-match home series against them in 2018, including three centuries, before producing another prolific run in the Caribbean in 2019. The first ODI in the three-match series will be played on September 27, giving Kohli his next opportunity to add another chapter to a record that is already extraordinary. Virat Kohli has three Player of the Series awards against West Indies.