As India gears up to face Bangladesh in the second and final Test match of the series, all eyes are on Virat Kohli. The game, scheduled to take place in Kanpur, brings the question of whether Kohli can break multiple records. With India’s strong record at this venue, and Kohli nearing several key milestones, fans are eagerly waiting to see if their cricketing hero can make history.
Let’s dive into how Kohli has performed in Kanpur and the records that are within his reach.
India’s Test Record in Kanpur: A Winning History
Kanpur has been a good venue for the Indian cricket team. India has played 23 Tests in Kanpur, winning 7, losing 3, and drawing 13. However, this will be the first time India will play a Test against Bangladesh at this ground. Given India’s solid history here, the team is expected to perform well.
Kohli’s Past Performance in Kanpur: Just One Test Played
So, how has Virat Kohli performed in Kanpur? Surprisingly, Kohli has played only one Test match here. That came against New Zealand, where he scored a total of 27 runs in two innings (9 in the first innings, 18 in the second). Based on this performance, one might not expect Kohli to break major records in Kanpur. However, Kohli has the talent and experience to turn things around.
His recent form in the first Test of the series wasn’t impressive either. Kohli managed only 23 runs combined in both innings in Chennai. Yet, it’s important to remember that this is Virat Kohli—a player known for rising to the occasion, even when the odds seem stacked against him. If Kohli clicks in Kanpur, he could easily break a series of records.
Major Records Kohli Could Break in Kanpur
Here’s a look at the five big records Kohli is on the brink of breaking in Kanpur:
- Surpassing Don Bradman’s Test Century Record: Kohli currently has 29 Test centuries, tied with the legendary Don Bradman. If Kohli scores another hundred in Kanpur, he will surpass Bradman and add another feather to his cap.
- Breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s Catch Record: Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for 115 catches in Test cricket. Kohli has taken 113 catches so far. Just 3 more catches and Kohli will surpass the Master Blaster.
- Becoming the Fastest to 27,000 International Runs: Kohli is on the verge of breaking another one of Tendulkar’s records. He needs just 35 runs to become the fastest player to reach 27,000 international runs in fewer than 600 innings. Tendulkar achieved this milestone in 623 innings, and Kohli has the chance to do it in less than 600.
- Hitting 1,000 Fours in Test Cricket: Kohli has hit 993 fours in Test cricket. Just 7 more fours in Kanpur, and Kohli will join the elite club of players who have hit 1,000 Test boundaries.
- Crossing 9,000 Runs in Test Cricket: Kohli is just 129 runs away from becoming the fourth Indian player to reach 9,000 Test runs. The other three players to have achieved this are Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid.
A Chance for Redemption
Despite a quiet outing in his last match, there’s no denying Kohli’s ability to bounce back when it matters most. While his performance in Kanpur hasn’t been memorable so far, the upcoming game provides him with a golden opportunity to create history. If Kohli brings his best form, he could shatter these records and further cement his place among cricket’s all-time greats.
Kanpur might just be the stage where King Kohli reminds the world of his greatness, adding to his already impressive legacy.
