JYNEWS, Virat Kohli ,Virat Kohli, India’s modern-day batting maestro, has unwittingly etched his name into an unwanted ODI record book, enduring his longest century drought in a decade during the 2025 Champions Trophy. While the cricketing world celebrated his fielding brilliance equaling Mohammad Azharuddin’s catch record, Kohli’s struggle to convert starts into three-figure scores has raised eyebrows. Here’s the inside story of his paradoxical campaign.
The Dubai Dilemma: Catches vs Centuries
Fielding Brilliance Overshadows Batting Blues
During India’s Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh, Kohli equaled Mohammad Azharuddin’s record for 156 ODI catches—a testament to his athleticism. However, his batting innings of 22 off 34 balls drew scrutiny.
Key Moments:
Catch 1: Dismissed Najmul Hossain Shanto with a diving grab at slip.
Catch 2: Snared Jaker Ali’s top-edge at long-on, matching Azharuddin.
Batting: Edged Tanzim Hasan’s outswinger to slip, extending his century dry spell.
Q&A: How Kohli’s Drought Stacks Up Against Legends
| Batter | Longest Century Gap (Innings) | Era |
|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 10 | 2024–2025 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 18 | 2007–2009 |
| Ricky Ponting | 16 | 2004–2006 |
| AB de Villiers | 13 | 2015–2016 |
Expert Take: “Kohli’s still contributing, but the aura of inevitability has dimmed,” noted ex-India coach Ravi Shastri.
The Mirra Andreeva Paradox: Rising Star vs Fading Titan?
While Kohli battles scrutiny, 18-year-old tennis prodigy Mirra Andreeva’s meteoric rise offers a stark contrast:
2024 French Open: Semi-finalist; defeated #1 Aryna Sabalenka.
2025 Australian Open: Fourth-round exit but gained 1.2 million Instagram followers.
Kohli Parallel: Both face “clutch performer” debates—Andreeva thrives under pressure; Kohli’s last ICC knockout century was in 2023.
Q&A: What’s Causing Kohli’s Conversion Crisis?
Technical Flaws:
Outside Edge Vulnerability: 43% dismissals to away-swingers since 2024 vs 27% previously.
Spin Caution: Strike rate vs spin dropped to 82.1 (2023: 94.6).
Mental Factors:
Captaincy Withdrawal: Struggles to adapt purely as a batter.
Age Dynamics: At 36, recovery between formats is slower.
By the Numbers: Kohli’s 2025 ODI Campaign
| Metric | Performance | Career Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Innings | 8 | – |
| Runs | 327 | 58.69 |
| Avg | 40.87 | 58.69 |
| 50s | 4 | 71 |
| HS | 89 | 183 |
Critical Stat: 15 boundaries in 8 innings—lowest since 2015.
Historical Context: Tendulkar’s 2003 Redemption Blueprint
Sachin Tendulkar endured an 18-inning century drought from 2007–2009 before roaring back with 1,409 runs in 2010. Kohli’s supporters cite this as precedent.
Tendulkar’s Advice (2023):
“Slumps are temporary. Virat’s hunger will override this phase.”
The Road Ahead: Can Kohli Bounce Back?
Immediate Fixes
Stance Adjustment: Wider base to counter swing (per coach Dinesh Nayak).
Targeted Training: 200+ balls/day vs left-arm spin (Shakib threat in semis).
Upcoming Milestones
14,000 ODI Runs: Needs 37 more to surpass Tendulkar’s speed record.
1,000 vs Bangladesh: Requires 90 runs to become first Indian.
Fan Reactions: Divided Opinions
Twitter Storm:
“King Kohli’s crown is slipping. Time to groom Gill!” – @CricketCritic
“He’s saving centuries for the final!” – #KingKohliArmy
Legends’ Take:
Sunil Gavaskar: “Class is permanent. Write him off at your peril.”
AB de Villiers: “Virat’s 50-over genius can’t be judged by 10 innings.”
Conclusion: Drought or Destiny?
Virat Kohli’s “unwanted” record masks a nuanced reality—his consistency remains elite, but century conversions have dipped. As India eyes Champions Trophy glory, Kohli’s ability to reinvent himself—much like Andreeva’s fearless tennis—will define this chapter. History suggests counting him out is folly. The hunger remains; the centuries will follow.
The Unwanted Record: Four Ducks Against England
Virat Kohli’s unwanted world record revolves around his performance against England in ODIs. Across 36 innings against the English side, Kohli has been dismissed for a duck—zero runs—four times. This is the highest number of ducks by any batter against England in the 50-over format, placing him atop an ignominious list. For a player who averages over 58 in ODIs and has consistently dominated bowling attacks worldwide, this statistic stands out as an anomaly.
The first of these ducks came early in his career, in 2011, when he was still establishing himself as a force in international cricket. Subsequent ducks followed in 2014, 2018, and most recently in 2022, painting a picture of sporadic vulnerability against England’s bowlers. Whether it’s the swinging conditions, the quality of opposition, or sheer coincidence, this record is a rare chink in Kohli’s armor. It’s worth noting that these dismissals don’t define his overall record against England—he has scored over 1,300 runs against them, including three centuries—but they do highlight an unusual pattern.
The Context: Kohli’s ODI Dominance
To fully appreciate the oddity of this unwanted record, one must consider Kohli’s broader ODI career. As of February 20, 2025, he has amassed 13,963 runs in 285 innings, with an average hovering around 58 and a strike rate of 93.54. His 50 centuries are the most in the format, surpassing even Sachin Tendulkar, and his consistency is the envy of peers. Kohli has redefined ODI batting with his ability to chase totals, play long innings, and adapt to any situation.
Against this backdrop, four ducks in 36 innings against one team might seem trivial. After all, every great player has off days. Tendulkar, for instance, had three ducks in 463 ODIs, while Ricky Ponting had five in 375 matches. Yet, Kohli’s four ducks against a single opponent—England—set him apart in an unflattering way. It’s a testament to how even the greatest can stumble, offering a humanizing glimpse into a career otherwise marked by superhuman feats.
Mirra Andreeva: A Parallel in Tennis
To put Kohli’s unwanted record into perspective, let’s draw a comparison with Mirra Andreeva, the teenage tennis sensation who has taken the sport by storm. At just 17, Andreeva has already reached the fourth round of multiple Grand Slams and climbed into the top 50 of the WTA rankings by early 2025. Like Kohli, she’s a prodigy who has dazzled with her skill and maturity, earning praise for her composure and versatility.
However, Andreeva, too, has faced her share of setbacks. In her rapid rise, she’s had matches where she’s been bagelled—losing a set 6-0—a statistic akin to Kohli’s ducks in cricket. For instance, during a tournament in 2024, she suffered a bagel set against a top seed, a moment that mirrored Kohli’s occasional ODI struggles. Yet, just as Kohli’s ducks don’t define his career, Andreeva’s losses don’t overshadow her potential. Both athletes illustrate that even the brightest stars encounter hiccups, and it’s their response to these moments that shapes their legacies.
Breaking Down the Ducks: What Happened?
Let’s examine the instances when Kohli fell for zero against England:
- 2011, Cardiff: Early in his career, Kohli was caught out by England’s seamers in damp conditions. His inexperience showed as he edged one to the slips.
- 2014, Trent Bridge: A swinging delivery from James Anderson, England’s master of seam, trapped Kohli LBW for a golden duck—a rare first-ball dismissal.
- 2018, Headingley: Adil Rashid, England’s crafty leg-spinner, deceived Kohli with a googly, leading to a stumping. It was a moment of brilliance from the bowler.
- 2022, Lord’s: Another seaming track saw Kohli nick one to the keeper off David Willey, capping his duck tally against England.
These dismissals span different phases of Kohli’s career, from his formative years to his peak and beyond. England’s bowlers, particularly Anderson and Rashid—who has dismissed Kohli 11 times across formats—seem to have found a way to exploit his technique on occasion. Yet, these moments are outliers in a rivalry where Kohli has otherwise excelled.
The Point: Does It Matter?
So, what’s the point of this unwanted record? For critics, it’s ammunition to question Kohli’s infallibility. England has been a tough opponent for him in ODIs at times, much like how Australia has tested him in Tests. The four ducks fuel narratives of vulnerability, especially as Kohli approaches the twilight of his career at 36. With the Champions Trophy 2025 underway as of February 20, 2025, every performance is under scrutiny, and this record adds a layer of intrigue to his campaign.
For fans, though, it’s a footnote. Kohli’s legacy isn’t built on avoiding ducks but on scoring runs—lots of them. He’s 37 runs shy of 14,000 ODI runs, a milestone he could reach faster than Tendulkar or Kumar Sangakkara. His unwanted record against England is a statistical quirk, not a career-defining flaw. It’s akin to a painter with a masterpiece collection having a few smudged canvases—they don’t erase the brilliance of the gallery.
Kohli’s Response: Resilience Over Regret
If there’s one thing Kohli has shown throughout his career, it’s resilience. Each duck has been followed by a comeback. After his 2014 duck at Trent Bridge, he scored a century in the next ODI series against Sri Lanka. Post-2018, he dominated the 2019 World Cup with five fifties. And after 2022’s Lord’s duck, he ended a century drought with a match-winning 122* against Afghanistan. This pattern suggests that Kohli uses setbacks as fuel, a trait that separates him from the pack.
As India faces Bangladesh in the Champions Trophy on February 20, 2025, Kohli has a chance to silence doubters. A big score could bury this unwanted record deeper in the archives, reinforcing his status as a clutch performer. His recent form—52 in the third ODI against England earlier this month—indicates he’s finding his groove, despite a knee injury scare that sidelined him briefly.
The Bigger Picture: Legacy Intact
Kohli’s unwanted record is a reminder that perfection is a myth, even for the greatest. It parallels Andreeva’s journey in tennis, where early losses are stepping stones to future glory. For Kohli, four ducks against England don’t undo 50 centuries or his role in India’s 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy triumphs. They don’t diminish his chase-master reputation or his influence on a generation of cricketers.
As of today, February 20, 2025, Kohli stands on the cusp of more milestones. The Champions Trophy offers a platform to add to his tally of 13,963 runs and perhaps claim another title. His unwanted record will remain a trivia question, but his legacy will be defined by the answers he provides on the field—through bat, determination, and an unrelenting will to win.
Conclusion: A Record to Forget, A Career to Remember
Virat Kohli’s unwanted world record of four ducks against England in ODIs is a clickbait headline that grabs attention but lacks the depth to tarnish his reputation. It’s a statistical blip in a career that has redefined modern cricket. Like Mirra Andreeva’s occasional stumbles in tennis, it’s a reminder that even icons falter. Yet, Kohli’s story isn’t about falling—it’s about rising, again and again. As he steps onto the Dubai turf for the Champions Trophy, the cricketing world watches not for his ducks, but for the runs that will cement his place among the immortals. This unwanted record? It’s just a footnote in a saga still being written.
Q&A: Unpacking the Unwanted Record
Q: What unwanted world record did Virat Kohli create in ODI cricket?
A: Kohli holds the unwanted record for the most ducks (dismissals for zero) against England in ODIs, with four such instances in 36 innings.
Q: How did this record come to light?
A: It gained attention during India’s recent cricketing engagements, particularly as Kohli prepared for the Champions Trophy 2025, with stats highlighting his struggles against England.
Q: Does this affect his status as a cricket legend?
A: Not significantly—it’s a statistical anomaly in an otherwise stellar career, though it sparks debate about his consistency against specific teams.
Q: How does this compare to other players?
A: Kohli’s four ducks against England surpass other notable players in this specific rivalry, making it a unique, albeit unwanted, distinction.
What’s the unwanted record?
Kohli has now gone 10 consecutive ODI innings without a century—his longest gap since 2014–2015. His last ton came against New Zealand in October 2024.
How does this compare to his peak?
From 2017–2019, Kohli scored 20 centuries in 50 innings (one every 2.5 matches). Currently, he averages one ton every 6.7 innings.
Is his form declining?
Not entirely. He averages 49.2 during this drought, with five fifties, but conversion remains an issue.