Virat Kohli has had a very interesting 2021. He has had an indifferent year with the bat – as India’s middle-order batting remains suspect, especially in the Test format. He led India to the WTC Finals, led RCB to the playoffs of the IPL, stepped down as captain of RCB and India’s T20I Team, and has now been removed as the ODI captain.
Quite a tumultuous year for one of India’s greatest cricketers ever. Virat Kohli’s run as ODI captain has been sensational. There isn’t a crowning glory, i.e. an ICC tournament, but a win %age of 68% is among the best in the history of ODIs. He is also the first Indian captain to lead the team to a series win in South Africa.
Kohli’s win percentage of 68% is comfortably the best among all Indian Captains, and the 4th best in History (Captains with minimum 50 matches) – Only behind Clive Lloyd, Ricky Ponting, and Hansie Cronje.
However, it was with Bat that Kohli worked wonders as captain. The numbers he produced as captain of the team are legendary. Here’s looking at three records Kohli holds as captain that are close to impossible to better
Highest Batting Average as Captain – 72.65
The term Bradmanesque is often thrown around to refer to high averages. Kohli’s average in ODIs as captain deserves that moniker. For all the captains who have played at least 20 matches, Virat Kohli’s average is comfortably the highest – 72.65. The second best is AB De Villiers, with an average of 63.94 – Almost 10 average points lower than Kohli. He also has 21 centuries as captain, second only to Ricky Ponting’s 22. Kohli got to 21 in just 95 matches, whereas Ponting got his 22 in 230 Matches.
Most centuries while Chasing – 13
Virat Kohli and centuries are synonymous. Kohli and centuries while chasing, even more so. Kohli scored 13 centuries as captain while chasing in just 48 innings (along with 12 half-centuries). The next best is Stephen Fleming with 7 centuries in chases. The gulf in these numbers showcases how fantastic Kohli was as a batsman while leading the team. He took the cliche of “leading from the front” as seriously as one could.
Most runs as a Captain in a Calendar year – 1460
1460 runs in 27 matches. Kohli had a phenomenal 2017 in ODIs. His haul of 1460 runs is the most by a captain in ODIs in a calendar year. In fact, Kohli shows up twice in the top 3. 2nd is Ricky Ponting with 1424 runs in 2007, followed by Kohli again with 1377 runs in 2019. He was a beacon of consistency. He also holds the record for the most centuries in a calendar year, as captain – Scoring 6 each in 2017 and 2018.