Introduction

On 20 July 2023, Virat Kohli, the current batting master, took the pitch for his 500th international match, marking an important milestone for Indian cricket and a major turning point for the nation. The cricketing community came together to celebrate the event as they saw one of the game's all-time greats accomplish an incredible achievement, and they did so with pleasure and adoration. As he donned the Indian jersey against the arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord's, Kohli etched his name into the annals of cricketing history as only the fourth Indian to reach this remarkable milestone. This article delves into the facts, stats, records, and individuals who have entered the elusive "500 Club" in international cricket, both among Indians and from across the globe.

Virat Kohli - A Phenomenal Career

Virat Kohli's journey to cricketing greatness has been nothing short of extraordinary. Born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, India, Kohli showed early promise and emerged as a prodigious talent at a young age. Making his international debut in August 2008, his meteoric rise saw him rapidly ascend through the ranks, cementing his place in the Indian team.

Kohli's insatiable hunger for runs, exceptional batting technique, and unyielding determination have been the cornerstones of his success. Whether it's chasing down steep targets or mastering the art of chasing, Kohli's consistency across all formats of the game has earned him the moniker of "Run Machine." Over the years, he has amassed an incredible number of runs, notching up centuries and records at will.

Facts and Records:

Virat is the fastest to score 25,000 international runs. The ongoing test between India and the West Indies is his 500th game. He has played 110 Tests, 274 ODIs, and 115 T20Is so far. Virat has scored 25461 runs across formats at an average of 53.48, with 75 centuries and 131 half-centuries, with a best of 254 not out. A few enduring facts about King Kohli are:

• 500 International Matches: Virat Kohli became the first cricketer to register a century in the 500th international match. The milestone places him among a selected group of cricketing legends who have achieved the remarkable feat of joining the 500 Club.
• Indian Centurion: With his 500th appearance, Kohli also became the first Indian cricketer to join the elite 500 International Matches Club, a testament to his unwavering commitment, endurance, and skill.
• Leading Run-scorer for India: Kohli holds the record for the most runs scored by an Indian batsman in international cricket. He surpassed the previous record held by Sachin Tendulkar, a feat that showcases his consistency and ability to pile on the runs.
• The Centuries Galore: Kohli's journey has been decorated with a plethora of centuries across formats. He is the fastest batsman to score 70 international centuries, surpassing Ricky Ponting's record.
• Captain Marvel: As captain, Kohli has led the Indian team to several memorable victories, both at home and abroad. His aggressive and strategic captaincy style has earned him accolades from fans and fellow cricketers alike.

Indian Members of the 500 International Matches Club:

Other than Virat Kohli the Indian players who registered themselves in the history books of the 500 International matches club are:

• Sachin Tendulkar ( 664 Matches) -- In this game, Sachin Tendulkar was the lone player who knew no bounds. All of the batting records in this game place him at the top. What Sachin accomplished in his career is merely a pipe dream for most people. In addition to many other significant records, he has the most runs, centuries, half-centuries, matches, MOTM awards, and first-ever ODI 200-run score. His international career was among the longest. In the 200 Tests, 463 ODIs, and one T20I that Sachin participated in during four decades, from 1989 to 2013, he appeared. With 464 half-centuries and 100 centuries, he scored 34357 runs at a rate of 48.52, with a high of 248 not out.
• M.S Dhoni (538 Matches) -- M.S Dhoni doesn't require any introduction to this sport. He made a reputation for himself as one of history's top captains. As a batsman and a captain, Dhoni was practically unstoppable. He was one of the greatest finishers of all time, extremely fast behind the wicket, intelligent, a great leader, and quick on his feet. He played for India for a very long period because of this. Dhoni began playing in 2004 and continued to do so till 2019. He participated in 350 ODIs, 98 T20Is, and 90 Tests throughout his career. With 16 hundred and 108 half-centuries during his international career, MS Dhoni amassed 17266 runs at an average of 44.96.
• Rahul Dravid (509 MAtches) -- Rahul Dravid, sometimes referred to as "The Wall," was one of India's greatest all-around hitters in history. He was successful at the international level because he was technically proficient and had a monastic temperament. Dravid served as an ambassador for India for 18 years, from 1996 to 2012. He participated in 164 Tests, 344 ODIs, and one T20I throughout his career. In ODIs and Tests, he is one of the select few players who have amassed over 10,000 runs. With a high of 270, he has amassed 24208 runs overall at an average of 45.41, including 48 centuries and 146 half-centuries.

The contribution of these incredible players will always be cherished and will remain unforgettable in Indian cricket history.

International Players in the 500 International Matches Club:

Aside from Virat Kohli, there have been a few international cricketers who have breached the 500-match barrier:

• Mahela Jayawardene (652 Matches):  Mahela Jayawardene was one of the most disciplined batters Sri Lanka gave to world cricket. Jayawardene’s ODI records are stunning as well, the Colombo-born player is the third-highest run-scorer for his national side, racking up 12381 runs in 443 ODIs at a strike rate of 78.67. The veteran served Sri Lanka’s T20I side from 2006 and 2014 and during his tenure, he made 1493 runs in 55 games at a decent strike rate of 133.18.
• Kumar Sangakkara ( 594 Matches): Former Sri Lanka wicketkeeper batter Kumara Sangakkara was known for his batting and wicket-keeping brilliance. In his 15-year international career, he played 594 games and became the second-leading run-scorer in world cricket, notching up 28016 runs in 666 innings. In Tests, he is the most successful batter with 12400 runs in 233 innings of 134 Tests. In T20Is, Sangakkara scored 1382 runs in 56 T20Is at a strike rate of 119.55. The Sri Lanka legend was also a part of Sri Lanka’s 2014 T20 World Cup-winning side.
  
• Sanath Jayasuriya (586 Matches): Jayasuriya is the second-leading run-getter for Sri Lanka in ODIs, chalking up 13364 runs in 441 matches at a strike rate of 91.25. Jayasuriya was a vital cog in Sri Lanka’s Test team as well. With 6973 runs in 188 innings of 110 Tests, he is the fourth-most successful Test batter for his national side. The star Sri Lankan also played 31 T20Is for his country, in which he scored 629 runs and took 19 wickets.
  
• Ricky Ponting (560 Matches): Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting is among the all-time greats in international cricket. He ended up as the third-best batter in the sport, chalking up 27483 runs with 71 tons. In Tests, his record is incredible as he is the second-leading run-getter with 13378 runs in 287 innings of 168 Tests. These numbers also make him the most successful batter for Australia in cricket’s longest format. Along with Tests, he also holds the record of scoring most runs for the Aussies in ODIs. The star Australia player piled up 13589 runs in 374 games at a strike rate of 80.19.
• Shahid Afridi ( 524 Matches): From 1996 to 2015, Shahid Afridi competed in 524 international cricket matches, during which he accomplished several astounding feats. He finished his career as Pakistan's fourth-highest ODI run scorer with 8027 runs in 393 games at an incredible strike rate of 116.94. From 2006 until 2018, Afridi performed effectively for Pakistan in T20Is. In 99 T20Is, the sport's shortest format, he amassed 1416 runs and claimed 98 wickets.
• Jacques Kallis (519 Matches): Jacques Kallis, a former all-rounder for South Africa, is the fifth-most productive hitter in the history of international cricket, with 25534 runs in 617 innings across 519 games. In ODIs as well, Kallis leads South Africa in runs scored. With 17 tonnes and 86 fifties, the former Protea mainstay scored 11550 runs in 323 games. He is third among all bowlers for his nation in terms of most wickets taken, with 269 taken at an economy of 4.83. He played 25 T20I games, scoring 666 runs and taking 12 wickets.

A Legacy for the Ages

Virat Kohli's 500th international match is not only a celebration of his exceptional cricketing journey but also a reminder of his unwavering passion for the sport. His relentless pursuit of excellence, exceptional fitness, and unparalleled hunger for runs have set new standards for the future generation of cricketers.

As the cricketing world applauds Virat Kohli's historic feat, one can't help but marvel at the impact he has had on the game. Whether it's the aggressive stroke play, the never-say-die attitude, or the fierce competitiveness, Kohli's legacy will undoubtedly resonate for generations to come.

Conclusion

Virat Kohli's 500th international match is a significant milestone that cements his place among the greatest cricketers of all time. As the maestro continues to grace the cricketing arena, fans around the world eagerly await more breathtaking performances from this modern-day cricketing legend. Congratulations, Virat Kohli, on reaching yet another milestone and inspiring cricket enthusiasts worldwide with your extraordinary talent and passion for the game.

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References:

• https://www.hindustantimes.com/
• https://www.espn.in/
• https://sportstar.thehindu.com/
  
• https://www.cricindeed.com/
  
• https://www.bbc.com/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/