5 records broken by Virat Kohli in 2018

If there was one individual who ruled cricket in 2018 despite overseas Test series defeats in South Africa and England, Indian skipper Virat Kohli scaled every possible height in the year went by. There's no denying the fact that Kohli was at the peak of his powers through the entire course of 2018.

Kohli led his side from the front and scored runs in abundance to once again stamp his authority of being head and shoulders above the rest. It was a year that posed challenges for him to overcome his failures from the past in England and South Africa. For him, it was all about conquering the demons of a debacle in 2014.

However, for the greatness scaled by Kohli in terms of his sheer class as a batsman, he took every challenge head-on to emerge as the highest run scorer in the five-match Test series against England. Where every other batsman failed to score runs from either side, Kohli played on a different planet, belittling the quality of bowling and making a mockery of tough conditions.

His tryst with destiny saw him as the No.1 ranked Test batsman, eclipsing Steve Smith to consolidate the numero uno position till the year-end. His run of form in ODIs and Tests, undoubtedly see him as the World's best batsman in the current scenario.

The journey in 2018 saw him conquer the world, allowing his bat to do all the talking. In due course, he broke records and scaled up new heights to signify the gap between him and the world.

Here's a deep dive into 5 elusive records achieved by Kohli in 2018 among many others:

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#5. Most ODI runs in a bilateral series

Kohli amassed 558 runs in just six innings at a colossal batting average of 186

The start of the year saw India take on a tough opponent in South Africa in their own backyard. Leading a side brimming with confidence, Kohli and his boys were believed to win the tour by series wins in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. However, despite losing Test series 2-1, India emerged victorious in the limited overs format.

Kohli was at the heart of India's historic 5-1 ODI series win against South Africa. Leading from the front, Kohli amassed 558 runs in just six innings at a colossal batting average of 186. With three centuries and the highest score of 160*, Kohli remained not out on three occasions to take India home.

His 558 runs proved to be the most by any batsman in a bilateral ODI series, surpassing Rohit Sharma's tally of 491 runs against Australia in 2013-14.

#4. First cricketer to register 2500+ International runs for three consecutive years

Kohli has been in sublime form throughout 2018

If 2016 was the coming off age for Virat Kohli, then the next two years have just seen him grow in stature to be recognized as the best batsman in the world. His appetite for runs and the will to win games for his country has driven him to get better with every passing day. in the past three years where he has taken batsmanship to another level.

Indian skipper inspires a young crop of boys and girls who want to emulate his feat and consistency at the highest level. It is only due to the unsettled satisfaction that runs keep flowing through Kohli's willow.

His unmatched consistency in such a competitive day and age of cricket saw him score 2500+ runs for a third consecutive year in the International arena. With a tally of 2595, 2818 and 2735 runs in the respective years beginning from 2016, Kohli has taken a step further from being a cricketing great to be called as the Legend of the game.

#3. First Asian Test skipper to claim victories in Australia, England, and South Africa in a calendar year

Virat Kohli became the first Asian Test skipper to record wins in SA, England, and Australia in a calendar year

The year in 2018 was viewed with a lot of promise for the Indian team given their overseas tours to South Africa, England, and Australia. While India sits comfortably on the brink of a first Test series win down under, they would rue the missed opportunities in South Africa and England.

Virat-led side came ever so close to a series win in the Rainbow Nation and battled a hard-fought series against England. However, amidst all unpleasant losses, Virat Kohli became the first Asian Test skipper to record wins in SA, England, and Australia in the same calendar year.

India won against SA in Johannesburg while claimed a solitary Test win against England at Trent Bridge. In the three matches so far in Australia. the tourists have won at Adelaide and Melbourne to keep their hope alive for a maiden series win down under.

#2. First Indian to register three consecutive ODI centuries

Kohli registered scores of 140, 157 and 107 in the first three ODIs against Windies

Undoubtedly, Virat Kohli is a legend in the ODI cricket. His ability to master chases and consistency at such a level is an unmatchable feat. His hunger for runs and the will to take on any bowler in the world sets him apart from the rest. If there was ever a weakness for the run-machine, Kohli rectified his technique to leave oppositions clueless for a plan against him.

Even in 2018, he continued to stretch his purple patch in ODI format. With as many as 1202 runs at a staggering average of 133, Kohli was certainly the best in this format. There was a time when the Indian skipper notched up three consecutive centuries against Windies, a feat never achieved by any Indian batter in the past.

In the ODI home series against Windies, Kohli registered scores of 140, 157 and 107 in the first three ODIs to achieve this rare feat in his glittering career.

#1. Fastest to 10,000 runs in ODIs

Virat eclipsed Sachin Tendulkar's feat to score fastest 10k runs in ODIs

It's been a year that witnessed complete dominance by Virat Kohli. Formats changed, but his rich vein of form extended across all 3 formats. In the due course, he eclipsed Sachin Tendulkar's feat to score fastest 10000 runs in ODIs. It was way back in 2001 when Master Blaster recorded fastest 10k ODI runs in International cricket against Australia at Indore.

However, the record stood tall for 17 long years, before Virat Kohli surpassed his idol to account the elusive feat against his name. He took 54 innings lesser when compared to Tendulkar's 259 ODI innings.

The most astonishing fact which accompanies this achievement is the time taken by Kohli to reach this milestone of 10k ODI runs. It just took him ten years and a couple of months to go beyond the master. However, there's still a long way to go for the Indians skipper and if he continues to play for another 5-6 years, he looks set to claim all records set by the little master himself.