Scripting history, India’s Virat Kohli became the first batter in world cricket to cross the 4,000-run mark in T20Is. He made the record during the T20 World Cup semi-final match against England at the Adelaide Oval. When India chose to bat first, it witnessed early blows by losing the wickets of KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma. It was at this moment when Kohli put his best foot forward and steadied the ship. Along the way, he went past the 4,000-run mark.
He had come out to bat in the second over after India lost KL Rahul’s wicket to Chris Woakes. Kohli played a knock of 50 runs against England in the semi-final. His innings was ended by Adil Rashid in the 18th over. The right-handed batsman is the leading run-scorer in men’s T20Is, followed by Rohit Sharma with a tally of 3,853 runs. During the tournament, he churned out three memorable knocks, including a magical 82* against Pakistan. He has also made half-centuries against the Netherlands and Bangladesh in the same tournament.
India was in a critical situation when Pakistan reduced them to 31/4 while chasing 160 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. But, there again, Kohli had steered the chase with an outstanding knock of 82* from just 53 deliveries. According to reports, Kohli had said that it was a great honour for him to have been voted the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for October. “I want to pay tribute to the other nominees who performed so well during the month and also to my teammates, who continue to support me to perform to the best of my ability,” he reportedly added.