Virat Kohli completes 13,000 runs in T20 cricket
Mumbai, Apr 7 (PTI): Virat Kohli on Monday became the first Indian to complete 13,000 runs in T20 cricket during the Indian Premier League contest between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians here.
Kohli reached the landmark with his second half-century this IPL season to become only the fifth batter overall to have scored 13,000 runs in the shortest format of the game.
The right-handed modern day great achieved the feat in a little over 400 matches in his career.
Kohli had retired from T20 Internationals in the middle of last year after helping India win their second T20 World Cup in the Americas, having played 125 matches to score 4,188 runs with one century and 38 fifties at an average of 48.69 and strike rate of 137.04.
He is the third-highest run scorer in T20Is after Rohit Sharma (4,231 runs) and Pakistan's Babar Azam (4,223).
Rohit is the second in the list among highest run-scorers in overall T20 cricket with 11,851 runs in 451 matches.
Overall, Kohli had scored 12,983 runs before the IPL clash on Monday with nine centuries and 98 fifties at an average of 38.93 and strike rate of over 132.
The IPL season-opening contest between RCB and Kolkata Knight Riders on March 23 was Kohli's 400th game in the shortest format.
Chris Gayle leads the list of highest run-scorers in T20 cricket with 14,562 in 463 matches, followed by Alex Hales at the second spot with 13,610 runs, Shoaib Malik at third with 13,557 runs in 555 matches and Kieron Pollard at the fourth position with 13,537 runs in 695 matches.
Ma𝓥erick’s Massive Milestone! 👑🙇🏼♂️
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) April 7, 2025
1️⃣3️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ T20 runs with 9️⃣ centuries and 9️⃣8️⃣ fifties! 🤯
keep the runs flowing, VK! 💪#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #IPL2025 #MIvRCB pic.twitter.com/rz5jaAXSdg
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Experience comes when you play bigger teams in bilateral series: Rashid Khan
Chennai (PTI): Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan called for more bilateral series against stronger cricketing nations after his team signed off from the T20 World Cup on a high, defeating Canada in their final group match here on Thursday.
Afghanistan played some exhilarating cricket, going down to South Africa in a gripping second Super Over after the scores were tied, a humdinger that provided one of the early thrills of the World Cup.
However, the spin-bowling stalwart said Afghanistan could make significant strides if they get regular opportunities to compete against stronger cricketing nations.
"Couple of areas to improve, with the batting, the middle order got a bit stuck against the big teams, and then with the bowling the death overs. That comes when you play the bigger teams in bilateral series," said Rashid after his team defeat Canada by 82 runs, with him returning excellent figures of 2 for 19.
The stalwart said the side had arrived well prepared for the tournament and produced some breathtaking cricket, but admitted the narrow defeat to South Africa proved costly and remained a painful setback.
"We were well-prepared (for the tournament), we played some unbelievable cricket. The game against South Africa, that really hurt everyone. We had to win one of those (first two) games and see how the tournament unfolded. We'll take some positive things from this World Cup and look forward," he said.
With head coach Jonathan Trott set to part ways with the team, Rashid described the departure as an "emotional" moment for the side.
"I think we had some wonderful times with him. Where we are now, he played a main role. It's emotional to see him leave us, but that's how life is. We wish him all the best and somewhere down the line we see him again."
Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 95 off 56 balls, said it was satisfying to finally register a substantial score after two below-par outings.
"I enjoyed it, didn't play better cricket in first two innings, which I expect. Wanted to back my skills, really enjoyed it. Pressure was there, it's there all the time. I want to put myself in pressure situations and enjoy it," said Zadran.
"Wanted to play positive cricket, rotate strike and punish bad ball, create partnerships and this is what I have done."
