Current Indian batter Virat Kohli completed 14 years in international cricket today. The right-handed batter made his debut for India on this day in 2008 against the Sri Lankan cricket team. He did not make a big impact instantly, but in the last 14 years, he has scored more than 20,000 runs for India.
The battles between India and Sri Lanka have always entertained the cricket fans. In this listicle now, we will look back at the 2008 match between India and Sri Lanka, where Kohli made his debut. Here’s a list of five things you might have forgotten about that game.
1. Chaminda Vaas bowled the first ball to Virat Kohli in international cricket
Kohli opened the innings for India in his first ever international match at the senior level. He came out to bat with Gautam Gambhir. Veteran Sri Lankan speedster Chaminda Vaas opened the bowling for Sri Lanka. Kohli faced his first ball in the third over, and it was a dot.
2. Virat Kohli replaced Virender Sehwag in the playing XI
Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag were India’s two openers in white-ball cricket when Kohli made his debut. However, Sehwag was unavailable for the first ODI against Sri Lanka, which is why the team management gave Kohli his first cap.
3. Ajantha Mendis won the Man of the Match in Virat Kohli’s first ODI match
Sri Lankan mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis troubled India a lot in the year 2008. In the game where Kohli made his debut, Mendis won the Man of the Match award for his spell of 3/21.
4. Pragyan Ojha and Munaf Patel scored more runs than Kohli
Kohli scored only 12 runs in his first ODI match. Tail-enders Pragyan Ojha and Munaf Patel scored 16 and 15 runs, respectively in that battle against Sri Lanka.
5. Nuwan Kulasekara was the first bowler to dismiss Kohli
Nuwan Kulasekara is best remembered for bowling the last ball of the 2011 World Cup to MS Dhoni, but he was also the first bowler to dismiss Kohli in international cricket.
