Team India captain Virat Kohli notched up 2818 runs across all formats in 2017 – the third highest total ever registered in a calendar year.
Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara (2868 in 2014) and former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting (2833 in 2005) occupy the number one and two positions respectively on that list.
With Kohli rested from ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka, the third Test in Delhi was his last outing of the year.
Kumar Sangakkara’s 2868 runs in 2014 will remain as the highest tally ever recorded in a calendar year as Virat Kohli ends year 2017 with 2818 runs #Cricket
— Azzam Ameen (@AzzamAmeen) December 5, 2017
Interestingly, Sangakkara, who continues to hold this unique record, feels that 29-year-old Kohli is bound to overtake him next year and better his own record a year later.
The stylish left-hander described Kohli as ‘different class’.
“I don’t think that will last long the way @imVkohli is batting. He will probably overtake it next year and then do it again the year after. He is a different class,” he tweeted.
I don’t think that will last long the way @imVkohli is batting. He will probably overtake it next year and then do it again the year after. He is a different class.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) December 6, 2017