3 achievements missing from Virat Kohli's illustrious kitty

Indian captain Virat Kohli turns 31 today, on the 5th of November. Kohli is regarded by many as the greatest batsman of the modern era, a tag that he is constantly fighting for with Aussie Steve Smith.

From being the first batsman to register 20,000 international runs in a decade to becoming the captain with most successive Test wins at home (11), Kohli has been on a record-breaking spree over the past few years.

In fact, many cricket pundits opine that Kohli might end up breaking every record in the book by the time he hangs up his boots. The perfect record of 100 international centuries achieved by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar is often sighted as one of the big achievements that perhaps only Kohli can come close to.

However, there are a few other significant laurels also missing from Kohli’s magnificent collection. On his birthday, we take a look at three achievements Kohli would like to have to his name before he retires.

#3 Winning the T20 World Cup

Virat Kohli after India's loss to West Indies in World T20 2016

India won the inaugural ICC World T20 in 2007, but that was a year before Kohli led India to victory in the 2008 U19 World Cup. Kohli has featured in three World T20 championships, and while he has an excellent record in the competition, the Indian captain is yet to lay his hand on the trophy.

In 16 World T20 games, Kohli has amassed 777 runs at an average of 86.33.

He has been exceptional in the last two editions, averaging well over 100. In the 2014 edition in Bangladesh, he notched up 319 runs in six games with four half-centuries. That included a brilliant 77 in the final against Sri Lanka. However, Yuvraj Singh’s 21-ball 11 stifled the innings as the Lankans lifted the trophy.

In 2016 at home, Kohli did equally well with 273 runs from five innings, this time smashing three half-centuries. After making an unbeaten 82 from 51 in the Super 10 clash against Australia, Kohli made a blazing 89 not out from 47 balls in the semis against West Indies. However, Lendl Simmons' brutal unbeaten 82 from 51 balls took the Windies to the final.

Kohli was named man of the tournament in both 2014 and 2016. But he will be keen to lead India to the crown in Australia in 2020.

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#2 Test series win in England / South Africa

Virat Kohli

While Kohli’s India created history by winning their first-ever Test series in Australia in 2018-19, the current Indian captain is yet to be part of a team that has won a Test series in England and South Africa.

Kohli had a horror tour of England in 2014, where he managed only 134 runs in 5 Tests at an average of 13.40, with a best of 39. He was constantly troubled by James Anderson outside the off stump. India had a horrendous series overall too, losing 3-1 after winning the second Test at Lord’s.

Kohli returned in 2018, a changed player, and this time was sublime with 593 runs in five Tests. Leading the team, he also scored a hundred at Birmingham, and followed it up with 97 and 103 in a winning cause at Nottingham.

England, however, again emerged triumphant, winning the series 4-1.

When India visited South Africa in early 2018, many felt it was the visitors’ best chance to register a historic Test series win. However, India’s batting came a cropper at Cape Town as they went down by 72 runs.

Then, despite a fine first-innings 153 from Kohli at Centurion, India crumbled to 151 in the second innings to lose the Test by 135 runs, and the series as well.

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami picked up five-fors in the New Year Test at Johannesburg to lead India to a consolation win. Kohli scored a half-century in the first innings, and finished the series with 286 runs averaging 47.66. However, a series win remained elusive.

#1 Century in World Cup knockout match

India v New Zealand - ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Semi-Final

For all his stupendous achievements, Kohli would be desperate to set the record straight in knockout matches.

The Indian captain has an impressive overall record in World Cups, with 1030 runs in six matches at an average of 46.81 including two hundreds. He was also part of India’s World Cup winning squad in 2011 under MS Dhoni. But dig deep into his numbers, and the results are rather shocking.

Kohli has featured in three World Cups, and has played six knockout matches, but has managed a total of only 73 in these must-win games. The break up is as follows:

2011

24 - Quarterfinal vs Australia

9 - Semifinal vs Pakistan

35 - Final vs Sri Lanka

2015

3 - Quarterfinal vs Bangladesh

1 - Semifinal vs Australia

2019

1 - Semi-final vs New Zealand

In contrast, Aussie Smith has 311 runs from 4 World Cup knockout matches - 65 in the 2015 quarterfinal vs Pakistan, 105 in the 2015 semifinal vs India, 56 not out in the 2015 final vs New Zealand and 85 in the 2019 Semi-final vs England.

As we can see, Smith has scored over 50 in every World Cup knockout game he has played so far. Kohli on the other hand has failed to cross 35.

The Indian captain has at least one more World Cup left in him, and he would want to make a strong statement on the biggest stage of all before signing off.