Virat Kohli Shatters Michael Bevan’s Record—Is This the Ultimate List A Legacy?

Record! Virat Kohli surpasses Australia legend to top the elite list

Virat Kohli List A Record: Rewriting History One Run at a Time

When Virat Kohli walked out to bat for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, few expected he’d walk back having rewritten cricket history. But with a composed 77 off 82 balls, Kohli didn’t just add to his tally—he shattered a 25-year-old benchmark set by Australia’s Michael Bevan to become the highest-averaging batter in List A cricket history.

His new career average? A staggering 57.87—edging past Bevan’s legendary 56.25 . And that’s not all: Kohli also became the fastest player ever to reach 16,000 List A runs, a milestone that cements his status not just as a modern great, but as arguably the most consistent 50-over batter the game has ever seen.

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The Record That Defined an Era: Michael Bevan’s Legacy

For a generation of cricket fans, Michael Bevan was the gold standard in One-Day batting. Nicknamed “The Finisher,” the left-hander combined ice-cool temperament with surgical precision, often rescuing Australia from dire situations in the 1990s and early 2000s.

His 56.25 average

Virat Kohli List A Record: The New Benchmark

Enter Virat Kohli. Often labeled a “chase master,” Kohli’s reputation in ODIs is built on high-pressure run chases. But his domestic performance tells an even deeper story. Across 330+ List A games—including Ranji One-Day matches, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and international ODIs—Kohli has blended aggression with astonishing durability.

His recent Vijay Hazare campaign has been nothing short of phenomenal: 584 runs in just six matches at an average of 97.33, including two centuries and four fifties . At age 36, while many stars decline, Kohli is operating at peak efficiency—proving that elite technique and obsession with fitness can defy time.

The Numbers Behind the Legend: Kohli’s Domestic Dominance

Let’s break down why this record isn’t a fluke—it’s the result of relentless excellence:

  • 16,000 List A runs – Fastest ever to reach the milestone.
  • 57.87 average – Highest in history among players with 10,000+ runs.
  • 43 List A centuries – Second only to Sachin Tendulkar (49).
  • Strike rate of 93.5 – Far more aggressive than Bevan’s 74.5, proving modern dominance isn’t just about survival.

Unlike pure finishers or openers, Kohli has batted in every position from No. 1 to No. 6 across formats, adapting his game while maintaining elite output—a versatility Bevan never had to demonstrate.

Why This Record Matters More Than You Think

In an era obsessed with T20 stats and IPL fireworks, List A records often get overlooked. But this format is the backbone of ODI cricket—the testing ground for temperament, technique, and tactical intelligence.

Kohli’s achievement isn’t just personal glory; it’s a rebuttal to recent narratives questioning his form. After a quiet 2023–24 ODI phase, critics speculated his best days were behind him. But his Vijay Hazare dominance shows he’s not just fit—he’s firing. [INTERNAL_LINK:virat-kohli-comeback-2025]

Kohli vs. Bevan: A Clash of Eras and Styles

Comparing the two is like comparing a Swiss watch to a smartwatch—both precise, but built for different worlds.

Player Average Strike Rate Era Batting Role
Michael Bevan 56.25 74.5 1990s–2000s Finisher (No. 5–7)
Virat Kohli 57.87 93.5 2010s–2020s Anchor/Chase Master (No. 3–4)

Bevan excelled in a lower-scoring, less explosive era. Kohli dominates in an age of power-hitting and boundary counts—yet still maintains a higher average. That’s not just evolution; it’s elevation.

What Comes Next for Virat Kohli?

With the Champions Trophy 2025 on the horizon, Kohli’s form couldn’t be better timed. His Vijay Hazare performances have likely secured his ODI spot, and his fitness levels suggest he’s aiming for the 2027 World Cup.

But beyond trophies, Kohli is now chasing immortality. He’s already the only player with 13,000+ runs in both Tests and ODIs. Now, with this List A milestone, he’s staking a claim as the most complete limited-overs batter in cricket history.

Conclusion: Legacy Forged in Consistency

Records fall, but legacies endure. Virat Kohli’s Virat Kohli List A record isn’t just a number—it’s proof that greatness isn’t about a single World Cup or a viral innings. It’s about showing up, year after year, and outperforming everyone in the most unforgiving format of all: 50-over cricket. Michael Bevan’s shadow was long. But Kohli just stepped into the sun—and claimed it for himself.

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