Suzie Bates Surpasses Virat Kohli's Record To Become Leading Run Getter In T20I Cricket

New Zealand Women’s cricketer Suzie Bates set a new world record during the T20I match against South Africa Women on Sunday, October 15. Suzie Bates overtook Indian batter Virat Kohli to become the highest run scorer in international cricket in the T20I format.

Suzie Bates scored 45 runs off 38 deliveries, including five boundaries and a six. However, the right-handed batter’s performance went in vain as her team suffered an 11-run defeat in the fifth and final T20I against South Africa Women at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.

Suzie Bates Breaks Virat Kohli’s Record In T20I Cricket

White Ferns took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to commend Suzie Bates for her achievement of becoming the first woman to exceed 4,000 runs in T20I cricket.

“History made! Suzie Bates became the first woman to reach 4000 T20I career runs today in Benoni Suzie is now the leading T20I run scorer in the world, surpassing previous record holder Virat Kohli (4008*),” White Ferns wrote.

History made! Suzie Bates became the first woman to reach 4000 T20I career runs today in Benoni? Suzie is now the leading T20I run scorer in the world, surpassing previous record holder Virat Kohli (4008*) ? #SAvNZ #CricketNation pic.twitter.com/SjqcBNRQmS

— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) October 15, 2023

Bates has amassed 4021 runs in 149 T20Is with an average of 29.78. She smashed 26 half-centuries and one century. On the other hand, Virat Kohli has scored 4008 runs in 115 matches at an average of 52.73, including 37 half-centuries along with a single century.

Australian captain Meg Lanning is the second-highest run-scorer in women’s T20Is, with 3405 runs in 132 matches at an average of 36.61. Harmanpreet Kaur holds the record for the most runs for India in T20Is, with 3154 runs in 155 games at an average of 28.16.

Virat Kohli Is Representing India In ICC World Cup 2023

Virat Kohli is currently representing the Indian team in the ongoing ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023. The 34-year-old has scored 156 runs in three games at the mega tournament. He scored 85 runs and an unbeaten 55 runs against Australia and Afghanistan, respectively.

The Delhi-born cricketer will next be seen in action when the Rohit Sharma-led team and Shakib Al Hasan-led Bangladesh lock horns at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday, October 19.

Also read: Women’s T20 World Cup 2023: Suzie Bates Joins Virat Kohli, Mahela Jayawardene In Elite List As She Completes 1000 Runs In T20 World Cups