5 records which could make Virat Kohli the greatest ODI batsman of all time

In cricket, there have been many iconic players who have transformed the game and continue to transit it generation after generation. And the modern-day cricket has seen some of them as well.

In the modern day cricket, no batsman has been more successful than Virat Kohli across all formats. His run-scoring consistency has reached new heights, especially in 50-over cricket. For a player who has scored more than 10000 runs, he averages more than any other player in history.

But, to become the greatest ever to have played the game takes some achievement and even for a player of Virat Kohli's calibre, there are some feats that are difficult to achieve.

But, if Virat Kohli achieves these feats, then there is absolutely no doubt why he won't be celebrated the greatest ever to have played the game in the ODI format.

#5 Most number of boundaries

Sachin Tendulkar, the demigod, had scored a record 2016 fours in his mammoth career and he holds the record for most number of fours in world cricket. And at the same time sixer king Shahid Afridi holds the record for most number of sixes. He has hit a record 351 sixes and ensured he murdered bowling attacks all the time.

To say Virat Kohli is an aggressive batsman would be an understatement. In his astounding career so far Virat has gone past many records set by yesteryear legends and will be keen on continuing to do so in the future.

Virat Kohli has scored 967 fours and 114 sixes in his career which is terrific because he has only batted in 210 innings. But Virat Kohli who is on a run manufacturing spree would love to go past two feats that would ensure Indian team more victories.

If Virat Kohli goes past these two long-standing records in terms of a number of boundaries then it would mean he would add another feather in his cap.

#4 Most number of not outs

Before Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni was the man who used to ensure the victory for Indian team by staying till the end and that is exactly the reason why he has the most number of not outs record under his name. MSD has remained not out after a match a record 79 times and he still looks good at doing that.

Virat Kohli has scored 24 centuries while chasing and out of 24 India have managed to win in 20 of them which is a remarkable feat. It also talks about his match-winning abilities by staying till the end ensuring the team's safe journey to home. At this moment Virat Kohli has been not out 37 times in his career. He would definitely be looking to win more matches by staying till the end and by doing that he would eventually go past MS Dhoni.

There is no doubt that if Virat Kohli manages to go past at whatever number MSD stops at then it can be taken for granted that Indian team will enjoy a lot of success in this format of the game.

#3 Most number of 150-plus scores

Rohit Sharma has been at his best form in one day format ever since MS Dhoni promoted him to open the innings. Rohit has opened the innings for India in 110 innings and he has scored 5663 runs at a blistering average and strike rate of 58.99 and 93.02 respectively. He has scored 20 centuries, 25 half centuries, three double centuries.

But Rohit has also managed to achieve a rare feat of being the first player in ODIs to go past 150 runs a record seven times.

Virat Kohli has undoubtedly been the player of the decade when it comes to 50-over format. His run-scoring consistency has taken him to a very high level. He has scored 39 centuries in his breathtaking career so far.

But he has only managed to go past 150-plus run mark only thrice. If Virat manages to hold the record of being atop of players with most 150-plus scores then it would be another feather in his cap.

#2 Most number of the runs in the World Cup

Sachin Tendulkar has set the bar for future batsmen so high that only few can reach him and Virat Kohli is certainly one of them. Sachin was used to set new records with every innings of his.

In his entire career, Sachin played six World Cups and as always remains sits at the apex of highest run scorers in the World Cup history. Sachin had played 45 World Cup matches in which he amassed 2278 runs at a magnificent average of 56.95. And he also holds the record for being the player with most number of World Cup hundreds. He has scored a total of six centuries and 15 half-centuries.

Virat Kohli, aged 30, has managed to play in two 50-over World Cups but to be fair for a player of Virat Kohli's calibre he has underperformed in both of them. He has only managed to score 587 runs at a decent average of 41.92. He has two centuries against his name.

Assuming that Virat Kohli will play another two World Cups at a minimum and if manages to go past Tendulkar's record then surely it would mean India would perform better and might clinch the silverware as well.

#1 Most number of runs in matches won

Sachin Tendulkar is placed right atop in Indian cricket and is right up there on the pedestal with God, amongst his countrymen. No sooner did a boy who idolized him started to go past few of his records the comparison makers went haywire.

Sachin Tendulkar once again tops the list of most runs scored by a player in a winning cause. He has scored 11157 (60.55% of his total runs) runs at an astonishing average of 56.63. His 33 centuries out of 49 came in winning cause which explains why he is celebrated so much around the world.

Virat Kohli, no doubt, is the best batsman on the planet when it comes to ODIs and he has been on run manufacturing spree since last five years. He has scored 39 centuries in his career so far and 32 have come in winning the cause. He has become a "run-chase wizard" by scoring 24 centuries while chasing and out of which India have won 20 matches. It goes to show how much Kohli has an impact on the Indian batting order.

If Virat surpasses the 11157 runs mark then it would definitely make him the greatest match winner and batsman of all time.