Dubai, Feb 23 (PTI): India superstar Virat Kohli on Sunday created history as he became the quickest batter to score 14,000 runs in One-Day Internationals during the Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan here.

Kohli is now only the third batter in ODI cricket to have scored 14,000 runs, after the legendary Indian Sachin Tendulkar (18,246 runs) and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara (14,234 runs).

Kohli is the quickest-ever to the milestone, having completed his 14,000 ODI runs in 287 innings. Before him, Tendulkar had taken 350 innings to reach the feat while Sangakkara took 378 outings.

The India No. 3 needed only 15 runs on Sunday to reach the milestone, which he did with a four through covers off Haris Rauf in the 13th over of the run chase.

The 36-year-old modern day great was also the fastest to 13,000 runs, which he had completed in September 2023 against Pakistan in Colombo during the Asia Cup.

Kohli already holds the record for scoring most ODI centuries (50), having gone past Tendulkar during the 2023 World Cup semifinal against New Zealand in Mumbai.

Earlier in the game against Pakistan, Kohli had gone past former captain Mohammad Azharuddin’s record of most catches by any Indian fielder when he took his 157th catch in his 299th ODI.

Azharuddin had taken 156 catches in his 334 ODIs for India between 1985-2000.

Kohli took a forward diving catch after running in from long on to dismiss Pakistan’s Naseem Shah off Kuldeep Yadav. He then took his 158th catch when he grabbed his second of the match at deep midwicket to dismiss Khushdil Shah off Harshit Rana.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Bengaluru: Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday criticised the Ramanagara district administration, alleging that the district commissioner was deliberately ignoring his phone calls.

Speaking at an indefinite farmers’ protest held at Bhairamangala, Kanchuganhalli and nearby villages, Kumaraswamy said the Ramanagara DC was not responding even after seeing his mobile number. “The moment they see my number, they don’t take the call at all,” he alleged.

Issuing a strong warning to officials, Kumaraswamy said government officers should not commit mistakes under pressure from anyone. “Even after retirement, you cannot escape responsibility. Don’t betray the people by succumbing to pressure from ministers or MLAs of this government,” he said.

Kumaraswamy asserted that he would not allow the state government to acquire fertile agricultural land around Bidadi. “We will not allow even an inch of land to be taken. Not a single inch,” he declared, throwing a direct challenge to the state government. He said protecting the land of women farmers was his responsibility and urged them not to give up their land under any circumstances.

Assuring farmers of his support, the Union Minister said they need not be afraid. “I am with you. Governments come and go, but people are permanent. Governments must bow to public opinion. If not, people know how to teach them a lesson,” he said.

Kumaraswamy also alleged that some individuals were supporting the land acquisition move, which he termed dangerous. He accused the government of attempting to acquire highly valuable and fertile land at throwaway prices. “Some people have already created land banks in benami names to loot. They are cheating the people and the government. The day is not far when such people will be forced to stand on the streets,” he warned.