Thiruvananthapuram: Indian batting icon Virat Kohli has reflected on his standing among the sport's all-time greats, stating that he does not view himself as the best player in history and emphasising that different eras have produced extraordinary cricketers.

Kohli spoke to JioStar prior to the opening one-day international against the West Indies, scheduled for Sunday. With a record 54 ODI centuries, over 28,000 international runs across formats, approaching 15,000 runs in the 50-over game, and having claimed every major ICC trophy, Kohli's standing as one of the finest batsmen of his generation remains a central point of discussion among cricket observers. During his peak years, the right-hander established dominant benchmarks across formats through his century tally, batting averages, and ranking positions. Even as an ODI-focused player in the current phase of his career, he continues to surpass historical marks.

Addressing his reputation as one of cricket's all-time greats, Kohli remarked: "I do not consider myself the best ever. Different players have existed in different times of the sport, and they have done some amazing things, but might not have accumulated those kinds of numbers, and some have numbers which are way better than mine. But I guess, apart from this, everyone's main goal eventually is to create enough impact."

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Kohli expressed gratitude for a career that has spanned nearly 19 years, noting that he maintains the drive and excitement to perform at the highest level.

"I have been fortunate enough to have played for so long, and of course, when you are motivated to do well over that period, you end up performing more often than not. But eventually, the end goal has always been to contribute towards the betterment of the team and take the team towards the result that we want. As long as that answer is yes, and you mix up experience, your fitness, game awareness and motivation all together. So, I am blessed that it is still there, and I continue to be excited to play for the country, which is a great honour," he said.

Kohli, who stands second behind Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs) on India's all-time ODI run-scoring list, requires 59 runs to become only the second player to reach the 15,000-run mark in ODI cricket. He has accumulated 14,941 runs across 314 matches and 302 innings at an average of 58.59, recording 54 centuries and 79 half-centuries, with a top score of 183. Reaching the milestone during this series would also make him the fastest batsman to achieve the feat.

The pursuit of 100 international centuries remains a key point of interest for supporters, with the 37-year-old currently on 85 centuries. Having scored nine centuries in 41 innings against the West Indies, further hundred-plus scores remain a realistic prospect during the series.

The series begins in Thiruvananthapuram, a venue where Kohli remains unbeaten in ODI cricket. In two matches at the ground, he has scored 199 runs without being dismissed, highlighted by an unbeaten 166 off 110 balls against Sri Lanka in January 2023, where he accelerated from an 85-ball century to his final score.

Additionally, Kohli needs two more centuries to surpass Tendulkar's record of 60 List-A hundreds, currently holding 59 centuries in 50-over domestic and international cricket combined.

Kohli also sits on 41 international centuries on home soil, leaving him two short of breaking Tendulkar's record of 42 home centuries across formats. Furthermore, he is within reach of Tendulkar's record for the most ODI runs scored at home; while Tendulkar accumulated 6,976 runs in 164 home matches, Kohli currently has 6,867 runs across 130 matches and 127 innings at an average of 62.42, featuring 27 centuries and 36 half-centuries.

In six ODI innings this year, Kohli has scored 384 runs at an average of 64.00 and a strike rate exceeding 106, including one century and three fifties.

ANI