Virat Kohli Shuts His Critics Down, Edges Past Kumar Sangakkara To Become Second Leading Run-Scorer In ODIs

India vs Australia: Talismanic Indian batter Virat Kohli once again etched his name in the record books after playing a magnificent knock against Australia in the third ODI match of the series, on Saturday, October 25, at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Virat Kohli surpassed Kumar Sangakkara to become the second leading run-scorer in ODIs.

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After two consecutive ducks in ODI innings, Virat Kohli turned around his form in the 50-over format. The 36-year-old stayed unbeaten on the crease and played a 74-run knock from 81 balls at a strike rate of 91.36. Kohli played carefully on October 25, not taking any risks. The prolific batter slammed seven fours during his time on the crease for the Men in Blue.

Virat Kohli Overtakes Kumar Sangakkara To Achieve Elusive Milestone

With his magnificent knock against the Aussies at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Virat Kohli leapfrogged Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest ODI run-scorer.

The right-handed top-order batter has played 305 ODI matches and 293 innings, amassing 14255 runs at a strike rate of 93.27 and an average of 57.71.

Now, Sangakkara has moved to the third spot with 14234 runs from 380 ODI innings and 404 matches, at a strike rate of 78.86, and an average of 41.98. Only Sachin Tendulkar stands ahead of Kohli and Sangakkara, holding the top spot in the chart. Tendulkar has scored 18426 runs from 452 ODI innings at a strike rate of 86.23 and an average of 44.83.

The 36-year-old Indian batter gave a befitting reply to his critics with a belligerent knock against Australia in Sydney.

Virat Kohli displayed a poor performance in the first two matches of the series against Australia. For the first time in his career, Kohli was dismissed for ducks in two consecutive ODI innings.

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Virat, Rohit Guide India To Nine-Wicket Win Over Australia In 3rd ODI

Earlier in the third ODI match of the series, Matt Renshaw (56 runs from 58 balls) and Mitchell Marsh (41 runs from 50 balls) guided Australia to 236 in the first innings.

Harshit Rana led the Indian bowling attack with his four-wicket haul and conceded 39 runs at an economy rate of 4.50.

During the run chase, Rohit Sharma (121* runs from 125 balls) and Virat Kohli (74* runs from 81 balls) displayed a stunning performance and helped India clinch a nine-wicket win over Australia.

The Aussies' bowling attack underperformed in the third ODI match. Josh Hazlewood was the lone wicket-taker in the inning as he removed Shubman Gill in the 11th over.