Virat Kohli Equals Mohammad Azharuddin’s Record for Most Catches in ODIs | Cricket News

Virat Kohli has achieved another significant milestone in his illustrious cricket career. During India’s Champions Trophy clash against Bangladesh in Dubai on Thursday, Kohli equaled Mohammad Azharuddin’s record for the most catches by an Indian player in One-Day Internationals (ODIs).

The Record-Equalling Moment

The historic moment came in the 43rd over of Bangladesh’s innings. Kohli took a stunning catch at long-on, grabbing Jaker Ali’s top-edge off Mohammed Shami’s bowling. This catch marked Kohli’s 156th in ODIs, matching Azharuddin’s record, which had stood for years.

Both players now share the top spot for India in the list of most catches in ODIs. The next closest players are legends like Sachin Tendulkar (140 catches), Rahul Dravid (124), and Suresh Raina (102).

Kohli Joins Cricketing Elite

Kohli’s achievement places him among the elite fielders in international cricket. When comparing him globally, only Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene (218 catches) and Australia’s Ricky Ponting (160) have taken more catches than Kohli and Azharuddin.

Mohammed Shami’s Milestone

The match also saw another remarkable achievement, this time from pacer Mohammed Shami. He reached his 200th ODI wicket, becoming the fastest Indian cricketer to reach this milestone. Shami surpassed the legendary Zaheer Khan to become India’s leading wicket-taker in ICC white-ball tournaments with 60 wickets.

Bangladesh Fights Back

Despite being reduced to a shaky 35 for 5, Bangladesh made a commendable recovery. Jaker Ali and Towhid Hridoy stood firm, with Hridoy scoring an impressive 100 runs. Thanks to their gritty knocks, Bangladesh managed to post a respectable total of 228.

A Day of Records and Resilience

Thursday’s match in Dubai was a memorable one for both India and Bangladesh. Kohli’s fielding brilliance and Shami’s bowling achievement added to India’s growing list of cricketing milestones. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s determined fightback showcased the resilience of their team.

As the tournament progresses, fans will surely be watching closely for more records to fall and milestones to be reached. With players like Kohli, Shami, and Hridoy in form, the competition promises to be thrilling.