Honoured to equal Viv Richards' feat, says Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli slammed 86 in the first ODI against West Indies on Thursday to become the joint-fastest batsmen, with Vivian Richards, to reach the 5000-run mark. Both Kohli and Richards played 114 innings.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: November 22, 2013 11:37 am IST
India's vice-captain Virat Kohli on Friday reached a rare milestone when he became the joint fastest batsman along with Viv Richards to reach the 5000-run mark in ODI cricket but the flamboyant right-hander said it was just the beginning and he still has a long way to go. Even though he is delighted to share the feat with Richards, Kohli said he never goes on to bat thinking about records.
"I was told in Bangalore during the last ODI (about the record) but I did not really remember it because I do not approach a game thinking about records. I said to myself that if you bat well, along the way these milestones are bound to happen," he said at the post match press conference after India defeated West Indies by six wickets in the first ODI of the three-match series here.
"To equal a feat with a player like him (Richards) is a very good feeling but it does not stop here because it is more or less the beginning. It is nice to equal his record but still there is a long way to go," a confident Kohli said. (Match highlights)
Kohli smashed a classy 84 and along with Rohit Sharma (72) shared 133 runs for the second wicket to set the platform for the win. (Pics)
Kohli said the wicket was not easy to bat but it became better as the match progressed.
"There was variable bounce on the wicket in the first innings. Compared to that, it was better in the second innings. But the wicket was slow and the ball was turning. It was a flat batting wicket and was on the slower side," he said.