Virat Kohli breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record

KANPUR: Star India batter Virat Kohli on Monday, surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to become the fastest to amass 27000 runs in international cricket on the fourth day of the second Test between India and Bangladesh here at the Green Park Stadium.

Kohli surpassed India’s batting great Sachin Tendulkar, who achieved the feat in 623 innings. The 35-year-old took 594 innings to get to the milestone.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting and legendary Sri Lanka wicketkeeper batter Kumar Sangakkara are the only two other batters to amass 27000 runs in international cricket.

Fastest to 27000 international runs

Virat Kohli – 594 innings
Sachin Tendulkar – 623 innings
Kumar Sangakkara – 648 innings
Ricky Ponting – 650 innings

Before the commencement of the second Test between India and Bangladesh, Kohli had 8871 Test runs to his name in 114 matches at an average of 48.74.

In ODIs, however, he has scored 13906 runs in 295 matches at a staggering average of 58.18. The right-handed batter also has 4188 runs from 125 T20Is at an average of 48.69.

Most runs in international cricket

34,357 runs – Sachin Tendulkar (782 innings)
28,016 runs – Kumar Sangakkara (666 innings)
27,483 runs – Ricky Ponting (668 innings)
27,012 runs – Virat Kohli in (594 innings)
25,957 runs – Mahela Jayawardene (725 innings)

In a match that was majorly affected by rain, Bangladesh were trailing by 26 runs at Stumps on Day 4 after being reduced to 26/2 in their second innings.

Bangladesh resumed their first innings at 107-3 but could only add 119 more runs to their tally despite an unbeaten century by Mominul Haque.

Haque struck 17 fours and a six on his way to top score for Bangladesh with a gritty 107-run knock.

Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (31) was the only other batter with a significant contribution.

Jasprit Bumrah led India’s bowling attack with three wickets, followed by Mohammed Siraj, Ravichandran Ashwin and Akash Deep, who bagged two each.

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In response, Indian batters came out all guns blazing with young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul being the cornerstones of their attempt to force a result.

Jaiswal smashed 12 fours and two sixes on his way to a 51-ball 72 while Rahul made a brisk half-century, scoring 68 off just 43 balls, laced up with seven fours and two sixes.

Seasoned batter Virat Kohli (47) was the next-best run-getter in the home side’s whirlwind first innings. India declared at 285-9 from just 34.4 overs, leaving Bangladesh to face a tricky 11 overs before the Stumps.

The touring party lost two wickets in the process as Ravichandran Ashwin trapped Zakir Hasan (10) lbw before bowling nightwatchman Hasan Mahmud for four.

Shadman Islam (7*) and Mominul Haque will now resume Bangladesh’s second innings from 26/2 on the highly-anticipated final day of the ongoing second Test.

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