New Delhi: When India takes on Sri Lanka in the opener of the 5-match ODI series on Sunday in Cuttack, all eyes will be on the stand-in skipper Virat Kohli who now has a chance to break Sir Viv Richard's record.
After the dry season, Kohli returned to his form against West Indies with a cracking century in the 4th ODI at Dharamsala on October 17. Just 121 runs more and the 25-year-old right-hander, who equaled Richards in being the fastest to 5,000 runs, now has a chance to surpass the West Indian great to the 6,000-run club.
In November last year against West Indies, Kohli matched Richards' record of 114 innings to reach 5,000 runs.
Richards needed 141 innings (156 matches) to reach 6,000-run milestone while with 133 innings Kohli has 8 more innings left to match Richards record. Furthermore. He would need 7 visits to the crease to score 121 runs and claim the record.
So far, Kohli has amassed 5,879 runs (20 tons, 31 fifties) in 141 matches (133 innings).
Former captain Sourav Ganguly is the fastest Indian to 6,000 runs, scoring in 147 innings. Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar took 170 innings to the milestone.
Kohli could break Richards' record on Sunday in Cuttack and during the course of the five-match series which ends on November 16 in Dhoni's hometown - Ranchi.