Virat Kohli has been rewriting records in world cricket with his bat and on the field. Kohli, while creating history, took two crucial catches during the record-breaking semifinal against Australia in the Champions Trophy, thus standing on top of cricketing giants Rahul Dravid and Ricky Ponting. This milestone further reestablishes Kohli among the best athletic players of his generation.
Virat Kohli Overtakes Rahul Dravid and Ricky Ponting
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Virat Kohli’s fielding skills now place him among the best in the history of cricket. From the outset of his career, he has kept on displaying his acrobatic skills and fast reflexes on the field, and during this Champions Trophy, he went on to prove his mettle even more.
The two catches taken by Kohli in the semi-final match against Australia helped his team emerge victorious and restored Admirable Mohammad Azharuddin in the annals of international cricket.
Kohli recorded his first serious fielding feat by surpassing Mohammad Azharuddin’s Indian record of catches taken in ODIs. He became the Indian with the most catches in ODIs. In this championship, Kohli again increases his own legend by passing by Rahul Dravid and Ricky Ponting in the catches taken in international format.
Virat Kohli: India’s Most Successful Fielder in International Cricket
With his record catches in the Champions Trophy, Virat Kohli has now assumed the responsibility of India’s best fielder in international cricket.
He surpassed Rahul Dravid, who stood at 334 catches in 571 innings in 509 games. Kohli, with 336 catches, is now number one in the number of catches taken for India, though in 657 innings.
While Kohli’s achievement is monumental, the world record for the most catches in international cricket is still held by Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene, who has taken an impressive 440 catches over his career.
Here is a look at the top Indian fielders based on the number of international catches:
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– 336 – Virat Kohli
– 334 – Rahul Dravid
– 261 – Mohammad Azharuddin
– 256 – Sachin Tendulkar
– 229 – Rohit Sharma
Overcoming Ricky Ponting in ODIs
Kohli’s fielding record is not only limited to India; he has now surpassed Australian legend Ricky Ponting as the player to have taken the most catches in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Before Kohli set the record, Ponting stood in second place with 160 ODI catches. With 161 catches to his credit now, Kohli has gone to second place behind Mahela Jayawardene, who holds the record with 218 ODI catches.
Here’s a look at the fielders with the most catches in ODIs:
– 218 – Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)
– 161 – Virat Kohli (India)
– 160 – Ricky Ponting (Australia)
– 156 – Mohammad Azharuddin (India)
– 142 – Ross Taylor (New Zealand)
A Key Moment in the Champions Trophy Semi-Final
Kohli’s feat in the semi-final against Australia was part of a larger display where India registered a disciplined bowling performance. Australia, having batted first, was able to make 264 runs courtesy of half-centuries by Steve Smith and Alex Carey. Smith scored the most with 73 runs off 96 deliveries with four fours and one six.
Though the pitch was favorable, Australian batsmen failed to make the most of the situation and were bowled by playing foolish shots. Indian bowlers stuck to their strategies and confined the Australian batsmen, staging a fascinating chase by the Indian side.
India’s Aspirations from the Final
With some rehearsal left for the last match of the Champions Trophy, the team can reflect on the great win against Australia. Kohli’s catches have broken records, and the disciplined efforts of the bowlers will lay down much confidence, and the team is keen on riding this wave. Under the exceptional captainship of Virat Kohli, who leads on the ground and with the bat, India will surely be a big contender for the trophy.
Overall, Virat Kohli remains exceptional in every aspect of the game, and his fielding records are proof of his dedication, agility, and talent. With both the bat and the field, Kohli’s effort is essential for India’s success in cricket, and he is bound to make future generations of cricketers look up to him with admiration for his superlative all-round skills.
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