Kohli Surpasses Dhoni as India's Second-Most Capped Player

In a remarkable achievement for Indian cricket, senior batter Virat Kohli has surpassed former captain MS Dhoni to become the second-most-capped international cricketer for India across all formats. This milestone was reached during the first Test match against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Kohli's 536th international appearance on October 17, 2023, marks a significant moment in his illustrious career.

MS Dhoni, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest captains in cricket history, played 535 international matches for India from 2004 to 2019. Kohli, who made his international debut in an ODI against Sri Lanka in 2008, has since become a cornerstone of the Indian cricket team. His record includes 115 Test matches, 295 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 125 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), accumulating a staggering total of 27,041 international runs.

In addition to his batting prowess, Kohli has also taken on leadership roles, captaining India in 213 matches across formats, which includes 68 Tests, 95 ODIs, and 50 T20Is. This extensive experience places him just behind the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the record for the most international caps for India with 664 appearances from 1989 to 2013. Among active players, Kohli is followed by current Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who has 486 caps, and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, with 346 caps.

When it comes to Test cricket, Kohli is tied for eighth place in terms of appearances for India, with 116 caps. He has also scored 8,947 runs in Test matches, just 53 runs shy of becoming the fourth Indian cricketer to reach the 9,000-run milestone in this format, joining the ranks of Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.

Moreover, Kohli recently made headlines by becoming the fastest player to reach 27,000 international runs, achieving this feat on Day 4 of the second Test against Bangladesh last month. He surpassed Tendulkar's previous record of 623 innings, accomplishing the milestone in just 594 innings. This achievement makes him the only cricketer in history to complete 27,000 international runs in under 600 outings.

As Kohli continues to break records and set new benchmarks, his journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers around the world. His dedication, skill, and relentless pursuit of excellence highlight the essence of sportsmanship. With each match, Kohli not only adds to his personal legacy but also contributes to the rich tapestry of Indian cricket history. As fans, we can only look forward to witnessing more of his extraordinary performances in the years to come.