Virat Kohli Smashes 29-Ball Fifty, Breaks Michael Bevan’s World Record as Delhi Edge Gujarat
In a display of pure batting dominance that felt like a throwback to his 2016 prime, Virat Kohli lit up Bengaluru on Friday, shattering a long-standing world record and propelling Delhi to a nerve-wracking seven-run victory over Gujarat.
While the cricketing world has been debating the transition of India’s senior statesmen, Kohli provided a thunderous response at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. His whirlwind 77 off 61 balls wasn’t just about the runs; it was a statistical milestone that saw him surpass Australian legend Michael Bevan to claim the highest batting average in List A cricket history.
The Kohli Blitz: A 29-Ball Statement
Walking in during the second over after the early dismissal of Priyansh Arya, Kohli looked like a man on a mission. Eschewing his typical steady build-up, the former India captain raced to his half-century in just 29 deliveries, striking at a rate of over 190. His innings was punctuated by 13 crisp boundaries and a massive six, leaving the Gujarat bowling attack, led by Chintan Gaja, searching for answers.
This performance marks Kohli’s sixth consecutive fifty-plus score in the 50-over format, a streak that includes his recent heroics in South Africa and his century against Andhra earlier this week.
Surpassing Michael Bevan: A New World Record
The 77-run knock pushed Kohli’s List A batting average to 57.87, narrowly eclipsing Michael Bevan’s legendary mark of 57.86. Having recently become the fastest to 16,000 List A runs, Kohli now sits atop the mountain as the most consistent one-day batter the game has ever seen.
| Player | Country | List A Average |
| Virat Kohli | India | 57.87 |
| Michael Bevan | Australia | 57.86 |
| Sam Hain | England | 57.76 |
| Cheteshwar Pujara | India | 57.01 |
Rishabh Pant Anchors Delhi to 254
While Kohli provided the fireworks, skipper Rishabh Pant provided the steel. Pant played a measured innings of 70 off 79 balls, striking eight boundaries and two sixes. After Kohli was stumped off Vishal Jayswal in the 25th over, Delhi suffered a mid-innings wobble. Pant’s composure ensured Delhi reached a competitive total of 254/9 on a surface that offered assistance to the spinners.
Prince Yadav and Ishant Sharma Seal the Thriller
Gujarat’s chase of 255 began strongly with Aarya Desai (57) and Urvil Patel (31) putting on a 67-run opening stand. At 121/1, Gujarat looked to be cruising, but Delhi’s bowling unit, led by the veteran Ishant Sharma and the clinical Prince Yadav, triggered a massive collapse.
The match went down to the final over with Gujarat needing 15 runs. Prince Yadav (3/37) held his nerve, dismissing the tail to bowl Gujarat out for 247. Fittingly, it was Virat Kohli who took the final catch to dismiss Ravi Bishnoi, sealing Delhi’s second consecutive win in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26.
A Tale of Two Legends
The day offered a stark contrast for Indian cricket fans. While Kohli flourished in Bengaluru, Rohit Sharma, who also hit a century in the opening round, suffered a golden duck for Mumbai against Uttarakhand in Jaipur. With the New Zealand ODI series and the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, Kohli’s “God Mode” form suggests the ‘King’ is far from finished with the 50-over format.
