Virat Kohli breaks Ricky Ponting’s record, enters top five elite list of all time | Cricket news

India’s Virat Kohli (ANI Photo)

Virat Kohli added another milestone to his illustrious career during the second ODI against England, outscoring the Australian great Ricky Ponting to become the fifth most capped player in the history of international cricket. The match marked Kohli’s 561st international appearance, overtaking Ponting’s tally of 560 matches. Only four players now stand above the former India captain on the all-time list, with Sachin Tendulkar still holding the record.

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Kohli celebrated the milestone with another collected innings, scoring 65 off 66 balls before falling to Jofra Archer for the second consecutive ODI in the series. Archer, reintroduced into the attack to break India’s flourishing partnership, hit a reverse shot that forced Kohli into an intemperate retreat. The ball flew off the top edge and Adil Rashid completed a comfortable running catch from third man. Before his dismissal, Kohli played a key role in stabilizing India’s innings. First he added 60 runs with Rohit Sharma after the opener made 26, before putting together a 67-run stand with Shreyas Iyer put India in a commanding position. During his half-century, Kohli achieved another notable feat. It was his 14th score of 50 or more in ODIs against England, tying him with West Indies legend Viva Richards for the second most such scores against the opposition. Only Kumar Sangakkara, with 15-plus wickets against England, is ahead of India’s batting star. Kohli’s latest milestone further highlights his remarkable longevity across formats. Since his international debut in 2008, the 37-year-old has amassed more than 28,000 international runs, while becoming one of only a handful of cricketers to appear in over 560 matches for his country.