IND vs ENG: Virat Kohli Equals Viv Richards' Record for Most 50-Plus ODI Scores Against England

New Delhi, July 16: Virat Kohli's remarkable consistency in ODIs continued as he notched up yet another 50-plus score. In the eyes of cricket lovers, he has been ageing like an old wine. Kohli's 50 in the 2nd ODI has helped him equal the record with former West Indian great Viv Richards, who had a tally of 14 scores of 50 or more in ODIs against England.

Viv Richards featured in 36 ODIs against England between 1976 and 1991, scoring 14 fifty-plus knocks, including three centuries and 11 half-centuries. Virat Kohli, playing his 40th ODI against England in the ongoing match at Cardiff, has now matched that record with three centuries and 11 fifties against the same opposition.

Kohli and Richards are now joint second on the all-time list for the most 50-plus scores against England in ODIs, with only Kumar Sangakkara sitting ahead of them.

'Red-Hot!' Form Of Virat Kohli In ODI

Kohli's latest fifty further underlined the consistency that has defined his recent ODI resurgence. The former India captain has now produced seven fifty-plus scores in his last nine ODI innings, including two centuries and five half-centuries, reaffirming his status as one of the most dependable batters in world cricket.

His last nine ODI innings:

• 74* vs Australia
• 135 vs South Africa
• 102 vs South Africa
• 65* vs South Africa
• 93 vs New Zealand
• 23 vs New Zealand
• 124 vs New Zealand
• 5 vs England
• 65 vs England (today)

Kohli's purple patch has once again made him the backbone of India's ODI batting line-up, with his consistency proving invaluable ahead of major international assignments.

Virat Kohli Overtakes Ricky Ponting

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli moved past Australian great Ricky Ponting to become the fifth-most capped player in the history of international cricket.

The match marked Kohli's 561st international appearance, taking him ahead of Ponting's tally of 560 matches. Only four players now stand above the former India captain on the all-time list, with Sachin Tendulkar continuing to hold the record for the most appearances in ODIs.