Virat Kohli @ 10K: Another day in office

VISAKHAPATNAM: By the time Virat Kohli finishes his stunning, milestone-laden international career, his unbeaten knock of 157 here might just be a footnote in the grander scheme of things. The West Indian attack is not what you would call menacing nor was the pitch the most daunting. Yet, for Kohli and the thousands of fans in the stadium, it’s unlikely to be forgotten in a hurry.

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For, it was during the course of this innings that he broke Sachin Tendulkar’s record to become the fastest to reach 10000 runs in ODI cricket. He was on 81 then, just a run-of-the-mill number by Kohli’s lofty standards. While Tendulkar took 259 innings to achieve the landmark, Kohli has taken just 205 innings.

But Kohli himself won’t like these comparisons. As he has made clear on numerous occasions in the past, it was Tendulkar’s aura and dominance that inspired him to pick up a bat in a west Delhi neighbourhood all those years ago. And as far as Tendulkar is concerned, he will be assured with the knowledge that the record has gone to his most worthy successor.

The moment itself came in a nondescript fashion, with a single to long-on off Ashley Nurse. A kiss with his right glove followed before raising his bat and acknowledging the dressing room and the crowd. It was fitting that MS Dhoni was there at the other end as the two shared a wide grin and hugged each other. Dhoni, after all, had an integral role in backing the brash youngster when he first broke into the team.

Kohli, of course, is a vastly different individual now, the evidence of which can be seen in his celebration for instance. A younger Kohli would never miss an opportunity to pump his fists and bellow the choicest of expletives on reaching a landmark. These days, he just goes about reaching milestones like it’s his job.
As far as what makes him a run-making colossus especially in 50-over cricket, the template to his innings here was a good indicator. Given his uncanny ability to keep the scoreboard moving without taking undue risks, he relied largely on singles and twos and playing along the ground to begin with. Once he got past the initial stage, it was nearly impossible to dislodge him. Later on, even when he was going for the big shots, they were still conventional strokes in the V.
Now that the 29-year-old has achieved this milestone, the next major record in his sights is Tendulkar’s tally of 49 ODI centuries. While scoring another 13 will still take considerable effort, one can’t help but feel it’s a matter of time.

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