Batsmen whose record Kohli broke to become the fastest to 1000 ODI runs in a calender year

Virat Kohli has been batting on a different planet in ODI cricket this year. The fastest to 10,000 runs [205 innings], Kohli has scored six 100s in all of 12 ODIs this year at an average of *hold your breath*- 144.13.

The third ODI at Pune between India and Windies was no different as Kohli became the first Indian batsman to score three consecutive hundreds.

En-route to his 38th ODI ton, Virat broke a plethora of records-

• First Indian batsman to score four consecutive innings in a country.
• Fastest to 6,000 ODI runs (117 innings) in Asia (Previous Record:- Sachin Tendulkar, 142 innings)
• First Player to hit hundreds in four consecutive innings against an opponent.

Currently averaging 60 in ODI cricket, Kohli has racked up 1153 runs to become the leading run-scorer in 2018, scaling the next best Jonny Bairstow despite playing 11 innings less than the English Test wicket-keeper.

Kohli started the year with a swashbuckling 558 runs in the six-match ODI series against the Proteas. Before this series, Kohli hadn't scored a ton in South Africa; he compensated it with three tons in all of six matches to help India inflict a 5-1 scoreline- first ODI series win in South Africa.

Kohli's scores in South Africa read-- 112, 46*, 160*, 75, 36 and 129*

The most striking aspect of Kohli's performance in ODIs is the number of hundreds he has accumulated while chasing.

His 108 at Pune was the Indian captain's 23rd hundred out of which 20 have resulted in a win; Pune's loss is only the third occasion where his ton resulted in a loss.

Here, we'll go down memory lane to recount cricketers' whose record Kohli broke to become the fastest to 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year [in terms of innings].

#3 17 innings by David Gower - 1983

Gower's record stood the test of time for 27 years.

Former England captain David Gower's record of fewest innings taken to reach 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year stood the test of time for 27 years.

Gower achieved the feat to cross 1,000 runs in a calendar year back in 1983. ODI cricket was very different back in '83. Unlike today, cricket was still being played in white clothes and the red ball was still being employed, and not to forget, it used to be a 60-over per side match.

It was in this year that the fluffy-haired Gower displayed his prowess as a limited-overs batsman, and his numbers are a testimony to the aforementioned fact. In 20 innings, the former English captain scored 1,086 runs at an astounding average of 63.88 which included four tons.

Gower was particularly lethal against the Kiwis against whom he racked up 694 runs at 86.75 that included three tons.

#2 15 innings - Hashim Amla in 2010

Amla was in Bradmanesque form in 2010

2010 will forever be remembered as the year which saw the rise of the monk to the zenith, the year where Hashim Amla well and truly established himself as the next big thing in world cricket.

Earmarked for greatness in his nascent years, it was in 2010 that Amla truly showed his versatility as a batsman, quashing aside all the doubts surrounding his credentials as a limited-overs batsman.

Amla played in 15 matches in 2010, amassing 1058 runs at a Brobdingnagian average of 75.57 to become the fastest to accumulate 1,000 runs in a calendar year in fewest innings [15] eventually breaking David Gower's 1983-record of 17 innings.

Such was the form of Amla at the time that it didn't really matter where he was playing. Whether it was India where he scored 121 runs in two innings or the serene islands of the Caribbean [402 runs at 80.40] or in the desert against Pakistan [291 runs at 72.75], Amla thrived in overseas conditions- a true testimony to his adaptability.

Amla continued with his good run-of-form in the years that followed to become the fastest to 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 ODI runs.

He may have faded away in the past season or two but with 7696 runs in 159 games at an average of a shade under 50 [49.65], Amla's place in the pantheon of ODI batsmanship of the current era is assured.

#1 15 innings - Virat Kohli in 2012

Kohli came of age in 2012.

If 2010 was the year of reckoning for Hashim Amla, 2012 turned to be the watershed season for India's Virat Kohli.

Kohli kickstarted 2012 following questions on his credentials as a Test batsman after twin failures at Melbourne and Sydney. A tenacious 75 at Perth was followed by a path-breaking hundred at the Adelaide Oval.

India may have lost the series 0-4 but they unearth a beast that was ready to take World Cricket by storm.

Lasith Malinga and Sri Lanka were the first to face the wrath of Kohli as the Delhi batsman plummeted them to all corners of Hobart to help India chase down 321 in 36 overs.

Kohli followed the 133 that he scored at Hobart with another swashbuckling performance, scoring 183 with disdain against arch-rivals Pakistan to chase down 338.

Kohli continued his run-of-form for the remainder of 2012 to equal Amla's record of fastest [15 innings] to 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year.

In 17 ODIs, Kohli racked up 1026 runs that included 5 100s at an average of 68.50.