With the upcoming ICC World Test Championship final between India and Australia scheduled to commence on June 7 at The Oval, all attention is focused on the star batsman, Virat Kohli. Kohli has made an impressive comeback across all formats since late 2022, and his sights are now set on the coveted Test Championship mace.
He will need to be in top form against Australia, a team he particularly enjoys playing against. Kohli’s remarkable statistics against Australia further highlight his proficiency.
In 24 Tests against them, he has accumulated 1,979 runs at an average of 48.26, including eight centuries and five half-centuries, with his highest score being 186. In total, across all formats, Kohli has played 92 matches against Australia, amassing 4,945 runs at an average of 50.97, with 16 centuries and 24 half-centuries.
As he gears up for a significant performance in the title clash, it is worth exploring some of the records that Kohli might surpass during the match.
Most Runs in the ICC Knockout Stage
Currently, Virat Kohli holds an impressive record of 620 runs in ICC tournaments’ knockout stage matches. Over the course of 15 knockout matches and 16 innings, Kohli has maintained an average of 51.66. He has achieved six half-centuries in these crucial matches, with his highest score being an unbeaten 96.
Should Kohli deliver a substantial performance in the upcoming match, he will surpass legendary players like Sachin Tendulkar, who scored 657 runs in 14 knockout innings with one century and five half-centuries, as well as Ricky Ponting, who amassed 731 runs in 18 innings with three centuries and one half-century. This accomplishment would elevate Kohli to the prestigious title of being the ultimate ‘King’ of ICC knockout matches.
Most International Runs Scored in England
Among Indian players, Rahul Dravid currently holds the record for the most international cricket runs scored in England. Having played 46 matches in England, Dravid accumulated a total of 2,645 runs at an impressive average of 55.10. His remarkable performance includes eight centuries and 15 half-centuries.
Sachin Tendulkar follows closely in second place with 2,626 runs from 43 matches, comprising seven centuries and 12 half-centuries. Virat Kohli occupies the third position with 2,574 runs in 56 matches, achieving three centuries and 18 half-centuries at an average of 40.85. Kohli needs only 72 more runs to surpass Dravid and claim the top spot in terms of runs scored by an Indian player in England.
Most Test Centuries vs Australia
As of now, Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most Test centuries against Australia by an Indian player, with a remarkable tally of 11 centuries. Sunil Gavaskar and Virat Kohli share the second spot, both having scored eight Test centuries against Australia.
However, if Virat Kohli manages to score a century in the upcoming matches, he will surpass Gavaskar and claim the second-highest number of Test centuries against Australia for an Indian player, reaching a total of nine centuries.