Virat Kohli’s purple patch in 2016 seems never-ending.
The Indian Test captain played an innings of the highest quality in front of a near full-house at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday. Coming in to bat with India at 147 for 2 after Cheteshwar Pujara was dismissed off the second ball of the day, Kohli carried his bat through the day to finish unbeaten on 147.
On his way to his 15th Test century, Kohli went past numerous personal milestones.
For the first time in his career he went past 1000 Test runs in a calendar year, finishing with 1112 at the end of day’s play — a number that he will add to, no doubt.
He also reached 4000 Test runs.
Fastest Indian batsmen to 4000 Test runs:
Sehwag – 79 inningsGavaskar – 81Dravid – 84Tendulkar – 86Azhar – 88Kohli – 89 #INDvENG— ESPN India (@ESPNIndia) December 10, 2016
Another feather on Kohli’s cap was to become the leading run-scorer in all formats for 2016, a mark of how good he has been — irrespective of the colour of his jersey.
Note: This 2400+ runs is not including his 943 runs in the IPL
Most runs in 2016 in all formats (Tests/ODIs/T20Is)
2400* Virat Kohli, ave 85.712399 J Root, ave 49.972186 D Warner2048 S Smith#IndvEng— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 10, 2016
His form in this ongoing series has been nothing short of spectacular. His scores so far this series: 40, 49*, 167, 81, 62, 6*, 147*
The only innings he *failed* in was when he got hit-wicket on 40 in the first innings of the first Test in Rajkot.
Virat Kohli 500 runs in this series, 2nd time in his career (692 in Aus 2014/15)
Sachin Tendulkar 500+ in a series: never!#IndvEng— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) December 10, 2016
By the end of the day, Kohli also became the first batsman to average over 50 in all three formats of the game. (Although, that could change if he is dismissed in this innings)
.@imVkohli‘s average in int’l cricket at this time:
Tests: 50.07ODIs: 52.93T20Is: 57.13ONLY player with 50+ avg in all 3 format!#INDvENG— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) December 10, 2016
Virat Kohli : 2000 runs as captain in Tests.
Fastest Indian to reach this mark (in 33 innings). Prev: Sunil Gavaskar (39 innings)#INDvENG— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) December 10, 2016
This has truly been a momentous year for the Indian captain.