Dubai International Stadium witnessed history as Virat Kohli etched his name even more firmly in the annals of cricket during the 2025 Champions Trophy match against Pakistan. With remarkable performances, Kohli set two significant records: becoming the fastest batter to reach 14,000 ODI runs and surpassing Mohammad Azharuddin’s record for the most catches by an Indian fielder.
First up, the celebrated cricketer Kohli made waves on Sunday by catching Naseem Shah off Kuldeep Yadav’s delivery during the Group A clash at the Dubai International Stadium, which allowed him to record his 157th catch, setting the bar for Indian cricketers at 158. Kohli then wrapped up his remarkable feat by taking the final catch of the innings, dismissing Khushdil Shah and solidifying his lead above Azharuddin, who previously held the record with 156 catches. With this achievement, Kohli, who now stands as the fielder with the most outfield catches among Indians, showcases not just his batting prowess but also exceptional fielding skills.
Although Kohli holds the record for catches as well as the highest catches per innings ratio of 0.533, it’s his batting milestones during the same match which brought even more spotlight on his capabilities. Achieving the 14,000 runs elite mark came with style; during India’s run chase of 242 runs, Kohli reached this memorable milestone with a smooth drive down the ground off Haris Rauf, marking his 14,000th run on just the second ball of the 13th over.
What sets this milestone apart is Kohli's speed doing it. Completing 14,000 runs came remarkably quicker than both Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara. Tendulkar took 350 innings to reach the same target and ended his career with 18,426 runs, whereas Sangakkara, who scored 14,234 runs across 378 innings, also lags behind Kohli's swift rise. Now positioned as the third person ever to breach the 14,000-run threshold, Kohli achieved this marathon battle within 287 innings, which is 63 fewer innings than Tendulkar.
This rapid progression has made Kohli the quickest batter to reach other significant milestones, including 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, 12,000, and 13,000 runs, proving his exceptional consistency and dedication. This match against Pakistan was also significant as it allowed Kohli to catch up to Azharuddin, before then surpassing him during the very same game.
During the match, Pakistan initially struggled but found some rhythm with standout performances from Saud Shakeel, who scored 62 runs, and Mohammad Rizwan, making 46 runs—those two set the stage with their 104-run partnership. Yet, Pakistan’s innings hit turbulence as India quickly turned the tide, executing numerous dismissals to bowl them out for 241 runs.
Kuldeep Yadav added to the gloom for Pakistan by reaching his own milestone of 300 international wickets during this match, making him the fifth Indian spinner to achieve such height, alongside cricket legends such as Anil Kumble and Ravichandran Ashwin.
Kohli's contributions were pivotal as he led India to victory, pursuing and overtaking Pakistan's 242. His efforts did not go unnoticed; apart from his record-breaking catches, his ability to anchor innings and accelerate run rates embodies the fierce spirit of Indian cricket. He remains just 15 runs shy of adding another milestone to his already crowded resume of records.
This match against Pakistan not only highlighted Kohli's impeccable prowess but also exemplified his relentless hunger for excellence, solidifying his legacy as one of the finest cricketers of all time. With more records likely to come, cricket fans worldwide eagerly anticipate the future displays from Virat Kohli, as he continues to electrify the sport.