Virat Kohli Creates History; Becomes First Player to Score 1000 Runs in ICC Knockouts

Virat Kohli has built his legacy on delivering in high-pressure run chases, and last night was no different. With India needing 265 to win, Kohli once again rose to the occasion, steering his team home with a composed 84-run knock. His brilliance ensured India got over the line with 11 balls to spare. And in typical Kohli fashion, he rewrote the record books along the way – something he’s made a habit of over the years.

Virat Kohli delivered yet another masterclass in run-chasing, guiding India to victory with a composed 84-run knock as they chased down 265 with 11 balls to spare. His innings, laced with five boundaries, was the backbone of India’s chase, especially after early setbacks with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill departing cheaply. Kohli built crucial partnerships with Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, and KL Rahul, ensuring India stayed on course. 

KING KOHLI - THE HISTORY MAKAR #INDvsAUS #ChampionsTrophy #RohitSharma #ViratKohli #ShreyasIyer pic.twitter.com/Yff0G0sMgb

— ScoreWaves (@ScoreWaves) March 4, 2025

As if leading his team to victory wasn’t enough, Kohli also became the first player to surpass 1,000 runs in ICC knockout matches across all formats. The only player remotely close to him on this list is Rohit Sharma, who has 808 runs. Not only that, but Kohli has now played more knockout matches (21) than any other cricketer in ICC tournament history, edging ahead of Mahela Jayawardene, Rohit Sharma, and Kumar Sangakkara (all on 20). 

Moreover, his half-century vs Australia last night made him the first player in history to register 10 scores of 50+ in ICC tournament knockout matches across formats. That tally includes nine fifties and a century – the latter coming in the 2023 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium. His consistency on the biggest stages is unparalleled, with five half-centuries in T20 World Cup semi-finals or finals, three in Champions Trophy semis, and one each in the World Cup semi-final and final. 

Kohli also overtook Sachin Tendulkar to become the player with the most 50+ scores in ICC ODI events (World Cup and Champions Trophy), notching up his 24th such score. In the process, he also became just the second player to cross 2,500 runs in ICC ODI tournaments, following in the footsteps of Tendulkar. If that wasn’t enough, Kohli is now the second-highest run-scorer in Champions Trophy history with 746 runs in just 16 innings at a staggering average of 82.88. He’s just 45 runs shy of Chris Gayle’s all-time record, setting up a potential milestone in the final. Additionally, he became the first player to notch up seven 50+ scores in the tournament, surpassing Shikhar Dhawan, Sourav Ganguly, and Rahul Dravid, who each had six.