Virat Kohli set to rewrite history in high-stakes final ODI against Sri Lanka

Virat Kohli, India's batting icon and run machine, finds himself in the spotlight as the Indian cricket team is set to face Sri Lanka in the very important third and final ODI on August 7 at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.

With Team India struggling to show dominance against the hosts in the first two ODIs, the third game becomes a make-or-break moment for Rohit Sharma and his team. India’s ODI series against Sri Lanka has been marred by underperformance, with the batting lineup failing to shine in both ODIs.

Virat Kohli will look to find form to save ODI series against Sri Lanka

A tie in the first ODI was followed by a disappointing defeat in the second game, leaving India on the brink of a rare bilateral series loss to the Sri Lanka cricket team. The Indian batters, despite a promising start, have crumbled against Sri Lankan spinners, with the middle order collapsing once the skipper Sharma, who scored fifties in both ODI matches, departed.

Virat Kohli, known as one of the greatest ODI players of all time, has been a shadow of his formidable self in the ongoing ODI series in Sri Lanka. He came into the ODI series on the back of his match-winning knock in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, but his form has been underwhelming in Sri Lanka.

The dashing right-hander has a stellar record in Sri Lanka, and it made him a key player expected to dominate, but he has yet to deliver, scoring only 24 and 14 in the first two ODIs. However, the third and final ODI presents a crucial opportunity for Kohli to not only steer the Men in Blue to a much-needed victory but also add a significant milestone in the record books.

Virat Kohli on the verge of breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record as India seeks redemption in the 3rd ODI against Sri Lanka

Actually, Virat Kohli is on the brink of achieving a major milestone of becoming the fastest player to reach 14,000 runs in ODI cricket. With 13,846 runs to his name and needing just 114 more, Kohli is on the cusp of breaking legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record of being the fastest player to score 14,000 runs in 350 ODI innings.

Virat Kohli, with only 282 innings under his belt, stands a chance to break his idol Tendulkar’s historic record with a stellar performance in the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Notably, the former Indian skipper has an impressive record against Sri Lanka in ODI cricket.

In 54 ODIs, Kohli has amassed 2,618 runs at an average of 62.33, with 10 centuries 12 fifties, and a top score of 166* so far. Across 72 international matches against the Islanders, he has racked up 4,042 runs at an average of 64.15, including 15 centuries and 18 fifties to his name.

After this ODI series in Sri Lanka, the Indian team and Kohli will shift focus to red-ball cricket as they will be hosting Bangladesh in a two-match Test series, starting on September 21.