5,870 Singles And Counting: Astonishing Stat Highlights Virat Kohli’s ODI Greatness

Last Updated:March 05, 2025, 08:41 IST

Virat Kohli once again showed why he’s called one of the greatest ODI batters as he guided India to a four-wicket win over Australia in the Champions Trophy semifinal.

Virat Kohli scored top-scored with 84 as India entered the Champions Trophy final. (AP Photo)

Virat Kohli is being hailed as the greatest ODI batter and the numbers do back the claim. On Tuesday, against world champion Australia, he masterminded a tricky chase of 265 in the first semifinal of the Champions Trophy 2025 to help India punch their ticket for the final on Sunday. Kohli scored 84 off 98 – the highest individual score from either side – and won player-of-the-match award with his team securing a four-wicket win – their fourth win on the trot in the ongoing tournament.

Kohli struck five fours during his innings and ran 56 singles in the punishing weather of Dubai. In other words, 67 percent of his runs came in singles which is a testament to his ability to rotate strike and incredible fitness at the age of 36.

During the course of the match, a stat shown by the broadcaster proved how meticulously Kohli plans his innings in the age when hitting boundaries regularly has become a norm across formats.

Since January 2000, Kohli has scored 5,780 singles which is the most by any ODI batter during this period. Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara is second on this list with 5,503 singles while Mahela Jayawardene follows with 4,789 singles.

Keeping the scoreboard ticking was among the reasons why Indian batters didn’t come under pressure even as the chase got a little tense towards the end. KL Rahul completed the chase with a six off the first delivery of the 49th over.

Kohli himself enjoys running singles as he revealed during the post-match presentation at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

“I wasn’t feeling desperate, I was pretty happy knocking ones around and when as a batsman you start taking pride in taking singles into the gaps, that is when you know you are playing good cricket and you know you are in for a big partnership and settle the nerves down a little bit and head towards chasing the total down. In the game against Pakistan and today that was the most pleasing factor for me,” he said.

Location :

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)