With 5108 runs in 109 innings at an average of 57.39, Virat Kohli crossed Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting for most away runs in an ODI and is now just behind Kumar Sangakkara.
Number two on the list of most centuries in this format, Kohli is one of the greatest of all time. Scoring away from home is considered to be the pinnacle of batting in Test cricket, but the cricketing world takes it for granted when it comes to ODI cricket. In this piece, we look at Kohli’s stats and compare them with a variety of factors to analyze his performances. In order for better understanding, all stats mentioned in the piece are for runs scored in away conditions.
Modern Era
After Kohli’s debut, the batting average of the top order (no.1-no.4) batters of the four best sides, the previous three world cup winners and New Zealand, is 38.65. Kohli along with his high average has also managed to score at a high strike rate (90.89). Out of the other 12 players with more than 2000 runs, only four have a better strike rate than Kohli’s, but all average around 40-42. The stat that he has 20 centuries and then the second-best player in terms of centuries has 10, shows you how he is the best of the best in this era.
For a further understanding of Kohli’s record, a breakdown of his stats in each country he has played has been compared with the stats of the top order of the four best sides as mentioned earlier.
The normal average is between 35-38 in any country except Zimbabwe and Kohli averages almost double the normal standard in three of the eight countries. Only in Zimbabwe is his average less than the normal standard. The batter is known for his century-making capability and takes considerably fewer innings for one hundred than the average batter takes, England being the only exception. In terms of strike rate Kohli is ahead in all countries, overall ( 91 vs 84), clearly he has not put away the scoring rate in exchange for consistency.
Greatest of all time
With players, more than 3000 runs only AB de Villiers has a better average than Kohli in the history of ODIs. The game has considerably changed and the team dynamics also have changed. A quick fifty at the top of the order can be more crucial than a hundred in certain scenarios. A perfect example would be Sanath Jayasuriya, a player who started utilizing the powerplay overs to its best. Kohli scores more than 50 runs in every 2.38 innings, only behind the great Viv Richards(2.27). As captain, Kohli averages 86.90, the next highest is 62.56. Another reason to consider Kohli as one of the greatest of all times.
Chase Machine
Kohli is regarded as one of the best chasers in the world and even the stats say so. 12 of the 20 centuries have come while chasing and 10 of them have resulted in a victory. The average jumps to 92.09 in matches won while chasing. Only Mahendra Singh Dhoni has a better average (156.42) in such cases amongst batters with more than 1000 runs.
The batter in his interviews has always said that he does not care about stats until he keeps contributing to the team victories. But his fans would want him to score those away ODI runs and centuries in England and also better his average in Zimbabwe. Nevertheless, even without doing so, Kohli is a modern great and also can be considered one of the greatest of all time.