India captain Virat Kohli thwarted by ‘bizarre’ review following record milestone

Indian powerhouse Virat Kohli has shattered yet another ODI record, and in the process made a cricket icon’s numbers seem amateur.

Virat Kohli's dismissal at Canberra.

Australia required one of Aaron Finch’s best ever reviews to remove Indian captain Virat Kohli at Manuka Oval on Wednesday afternoon.

Kohli was the glue holding together India’s innings, but his resistance came to a surprising halt in the 32nd over.

India were 4/152 when Australian paceman Josh Hazlewood put the ball on a length, and Kohli bravely charged out of his crease, pushing with hard hands.

It flew into the gloves of Alex Carey behind the stumps, and there was a muffled appeal from around the ground.

But Hazlewood was unmoved, only appealing after realising some of his teammates were interested.

After consulting Carey and point fielder Glenn Maxwell, Finch quickly opted for the review, a decision which proved a masterstroke.

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Although there weren’t any blotches on Hotspot, a tiny spike appeared on Snicko, which was enough for third umpire Rod Tucker to overturn the on-field decision.

Suddenly, the Indians were in dire straits, with their trump card slowly making his way back to the pavilion.

Josh Hazlewood of Australia celebrates the wicket of Virat Kohli.

Hazlewood has now dismissed Kohli in each of his last four ODI innings against Australia, but the seam bowler refused to concede he had unearthed a cricket bunny.

“I wouldn’t say a hold on him,” Hazlewood told Fox Cricket. “Just lucky enough to get a few in the right area and just fortunate to get the edge through to Carey.

“It has been pretty hard work. I guess it’s about not trying too much, it’s about whacking the wicket and getting it through to keeper if you can with a few little change ups here and there. Just trying to keep it simple.”

Bizarre dismissal! That should say Kohli c Carey b Finch! #AUSvIND

— Gautam Bhimani (@gbhimani) December 2, 2020

Superb review by Australia!
Well played captain 👏
Having said that the toss doesn't seem as important now, does it ? #INDvsAUS #indvsaus2020 #AUSvIND

— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima) December 2, 2020

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During Wednesday’s game, Kohli became the sixth batsman to surpass 12,000 ODI runs, joining an elite group of modern greats to achieve the feat.

But what separates Kohli from the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting is the speed at which he reached the milestone.

Kohli needed 242 innings to pass 12,000 runs in ODI cricket, while the next quickest was Tendulkar with 300.

Virat Kohli becomes fastest batsman to score 12,000 ODI runs.

Least innings to score 12,000 runs in ODIs-

242- VIRAT KOHLI, TODAY
300- Sachin Tendulkar
314- Ricky Ponting
336- K Sangakkara
379- S Jayasuriya
399- M Jayawardene #AUSvIND

— Imran Hasan (@Imranhasan02) December 2, 2020

In ODIs

Virat Kohli

Innings-242
Runs - 12040
Centuries- 43

Kane Williamson + Joe Root

Innings - 284
Runs - 12135
Centuries- 29#ODIGOAT #AUSvIND

— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) December 2, 2020

The right-hander was also the fastest batsman to 8000, 9000, 10,000 and 11,000 ODI runs.

Kohli’s career batting average is also in a league of its own, managing to score 59.31 runs per dismissal in the 50-over format.

The Indian No. 3 currently boasts 43 centuries in ODI cricket, only six behind record-holder Tendulkar on the all-time list.

But let’s not forget, Tendulkar has played 212 more ODI matches than Kohli.

MOST CENTURIES IN ODI CRICKET

49 — Sachin Tendulkar (452 innings)

43 — Virat Kohli (242 innings)

30 — Ricky Ponting (365 innings)

29 — Rohit Sharma (217 innings)

28 — Sanath Jayasuriya (433 innings)

India's Virat Kohli.

It wouldn’t be an overstatement to label Kohli cricket’s greatest short-format batsman, and plenty of pundits agree.

“We can be accused at times of overhyping Virat Kohli,” Australian icon Adam Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket.

“But those numbers tell you, this is one of, if not the greatest ever.

“We are so fortunate to have him here on Australian soil again.”

Former Australian batsman Mark Waugh echoed his colleague’s remarks, calling Kohli the best batsman of his generation.

Without question @imVkohli is the best ever ODI Batter I have seen ... #NoBrainer #AUSvIND

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 2, 2020

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Australian cricket fans will only get a glimpse of Virat Kohli this summer, but Canberra’s spectators were treated to another masterclass.

Kohli plundered 63 off 78 against Australia’s inexperienced bowling attack at Manuka Oval, his classy knock featuring five boundaries.

The short-format maestro seemed impenetrable in the Australian capital. When the ball dragged short, he rocked back and slapped it square. When the bowlers overpitched, he elegantly rolled his wrists, punching it down the ground past the bowler.

It’s unfortunate that the 32-year-old will travel back home following the first Test match in Adelaide, leaving Aussie fans with just a taste of his brilliance.

But of course, there was no other alternative — family comes first, regardless of your occupation.

India finished their innings with 5/302, with a late cameo from Hardik Pandya (92 off 76 balls) ensuring the visitors posted a defendable total.