IND vs SL Asia Cup: Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma become fastest to complete 5000 runs as pair in ODIs

India's star duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma became the fastest pair to complete 5000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs) during the Asia Cup Super 4s match against Sri Lanka at Colombo's R. Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday.

Kohli and Sharma have been a formidable partnership for India in ODIs, having added more than 5000 ODI runs together in 86 innings. Their partnership boasts an impressive average of 62.47, with 18-century and 15 half-century partnerships to their credit. This achievement places them as the eighth-best pair in the history of ODI cricket.

Before Kohli and Rohit, West Indies legends Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes held the record for the quickest pair to reach 5000 ODI runs in 97 innings. They are followed by Matthew Hayden/Adam Gilchrist of Australia (104), and Tillakaratne Dilshan/Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka (105).

Rohit and Kohli also became the first Indian non-opening duo to reach 5,000 ODI runs. Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly hold the global record for most runs scored as a pair in one-day internationals. In 176 innings, they scored 8227 runs.

Individually, both players have had remarkable careers. Virat Kohli has scored 12,773 runs in 270 matches, making him the only active



cricketer to amass over 10,000 ODI runs. He also holds the record for smashing 57 centuries and 98 half-centuries in the last decade, placing him on a pedestal above many other cricketers. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma, fondly known as the 'Hitman', has accumulated 9,681 runs in 240 ODIs since his debut against Ireland in June 2007. His batting average stands at 48.71.

The partnership between Kohli and Sharma is not just about numbers; it's about the synergy they bring to the field. Their understanding and coordination have often been the backbone of India's batting line-up, steering the team towards numerous victories. As they stepped onto the field in Barbados, they were just two runs short of the 5000-run mark. Their achievement is a testament to their consistency, skill, and dedication to the sport.

This milestone comes at a crucial time as India gears up for the Men's ODI World Cup. With several regular team members recovering from injuries, the series against West Indies provides an opportunity for other players like Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, and Umran Malik to prove their mettle. However, the spotlight remains firmly on the Kohli-Sharma partnership, a beacon of reliability and excellence in the Indian cricket landscape.