Former India Captain Kapil Dev has praised Virat Kohli after he crossed the 15,000 runs mark in One Day International cricket and also made it just another big achievement in his international career. Kohli’s strike in the 50-overs game is an excellent result and he is among the few batsmen who have reached the 15,000 runs mark in ODI cricket.
Kapil Dev was on hand to comment on Kohli’s performance and was proud of the former India captain’s great achievement of being able to perform so well in international cricket. The World Cup-winning captain’s “hats off to him” comment is a tribute to Kohli’s long career and contribution to Indian cricket.
As a result, 15,000 ODI runs is a huge number because those who do get there will be able to perform well in different conditions and against different opponents with longevity, consistency, fitness and ability to put up a great performance. Kohli built his ODI career around converting starts into big scores so long as he was reliable at an international level.
Kohli’s career in ODI cricket started in 2008 when he made his debut for India. Over the years, he evolved from a promising young batsman to one of the most important figures in Indian cricket. Kohli’s aggressive approach, his ability to chase goals, and his remarkable record in run chases made him so influential in limited overs cricket. He also took over leadership responsibilities and eventually became one of India’s most prominent captains.
The 15,000-run mark is another on Kohli’s long list of ODI honours. Many centuries and half-centuries have been achieved along with a few memorable innings in tense situations. Many times he has held India together in the run chase and he has earned a reputation for concentration in the thick of it.
Kapil Dev’s comments are especially interesting because he himself is deeply rooted in Indian cricket history. Kapil took India to the first ever men’s ODI World Cup title in 1983 and was one of the most impactful all-rounders of the country. So his view of Kohli’s success is even more significant for the landmark.
But Kohli has been through a lot of change from his ODI debut to his current day career. The ODI game has changed so much since then: rules have changed, conditions have changed, technology has changed and so has the way they play and so has Kohli. Kohli has contributed so much to India in ODI cricket in that time.
Kohli’s longevity at the highest level is also highlighted in this fact. For a batsman to stay on top in international cricket for over a decade and still produce great performances would take much effort and mental energy. For a batter, 15,000 ODI runs do not only represent a career-long record of individual scoring ability but also represent how many matches played, opportunities received and consistency maintained over many years.
Kohli has been particularly successful in pressure situations. His performances in big tournaments and bilateral series have been widely covered and his rivalry with some of the world's best bowlers has become a feature of modern cricket. His reputation as a competitive batter has also made his presence an important part of India's ODI campaigns.
For Indian cricket fans, this is another chapter in Kohli’s statistical career. The former captain has accrued huge records in all formats of the game and his ODI career is one of the most followed in international cricket.
Kapil Dev’s praise also connects two generations of Indian cricket. Kapil was the captain who changed India’s place in world cricket with the 1983 World Cup success and Kohli became one of the defining players of the next generation. Both have had roles in India’s cricket history, but in different periods and at different times.
"Hats off to him": Kapil Dev lauds Kohli after 15,000 ODI-run milestone
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) September 29, 2026
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Kohli’s 15,000-run total will continue to be significant as he continues to play Test and ODI cricket, and the words of one of India's most iconic cricketers are another addition to Kohli’s wealth of achievements so far.
For now, it is the success that is significant and the achievement of years of international cricket, thousands of runs and consistent performances at the highest level. Kohli’s latest record keeps him in the list of most prolific run-scorers in ODI history.
