Virat Kohli Poised to Break Records in Upcoming ODI Against New Zealand

As India gears up for the first ODI against New Zealand, Virat Kohli is on the brink of a historic achievement, needing just 25 runs to reach 28,000 international runs. This milestone would place him among cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara. Kohli's impressive statistics include an average of 52.58, 84 centuries, and 145 half-centuries. Shubman Gill, the Indian ODI captain, has praised the invaluable contributions of Kohli and Rohit Sharma, emphasizing their roles in guiding the team through challenging situations. Read on to explore Kohli's journey and the records he aims to break.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 10, 2026, 18:17 IST

Kohli Close to Milestone of 28,000 International Runs

As the Indian cricket team prepares for their first ODI against New Zealand this Sunday, Virat Kohli stands just 25 runs shy of reaching the remarkable milestone of 28,000 international runs. This achievement would place him alongside cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara.

To surpass Sangakkara's total of 28,016 runs and secure the position of the second-highest run-scorer in history, Kohli needs an additional 42 runs. Currently, he has accumulated 27,975 runs over 556 matches and 623 innings, boasting an impressive average of 52.58, complemented by 84 centuries and 145 half-centuries across all formats.

Records Held by Sangakkara and Tendulkar

Kohli's immediate predecessor, Kumar Sangakkara, achieved 28,016 runs in 594 matches and 666 innings, maintaining an average of 46.77, which includes 63 centuries and 153 fifties.

The all-time leading run-scorer is none other than Sachin Tendulkar, who amassed a staggering 34,357 runs in 664 matches and 782 innings, with an average of 48.25. Tendulkar's record includes 100 centuries and 164 half-centuries across all formats.

Gill Emphasizes the Importance of Kohli and Rohit

In the lead-up to the ODI, Shubman Gill, the captain of the Indian ODI team, underscored the crucial roles that Kohli and Rohit Sharma play within the squad. During a pre-match press conference for the first ODI of the three-match series against New Zealand, Gill praised Rohit as one of the finest openers in ODI history and recognized Kohli as one of the greatest ODI batsmen.

Gill remarked that having both Rohit and Kohli in the lineup significantly eases the captain's responsibilities. He noted that in challenging situations, their experience and insights are invaluable for decision-making. "Among the two players you have named, one is one of the greatest openers (Rohit) of all time in ODIs, and Virat bhai is one of the greatest ODI batsmen ever. So definitely, having these two people in your team makes your life a lot easier, and whenever you are in a challenging situation, you can go to them for input. Because they have often been in those situations, you can go to them to see how they think or what they would do. That piece of information is very valuable for any captain," Gill stated.