Virat Kohli Gears Up for ODI Series Against New Zealand
Kohli's Preparations for the Upcoming ODI
Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has commenced his practice sessions in the nets in anticipation of the first One Day International (ODI) against New Zealand, scheduled for Sunday in Vadodara. This three-match ODI series will see Kohli making his return to the Indian squad.
Outstanding Recent Performance
Transitioning to a full-time ODI player, Kohli was awarded the 'Player of the Series' against South Africa in December, amassing 302 runs over three matches with an impressive average of 151.00, which included two centuries and a half-century. He also participated in two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches for Delhi in late December, marking his return to the tournament after a 15-year hiatus, where he scored 131 runs against Andhra Pradesh and 77 against Gujarat, showcasing his classic strokeplay.
Sharing Practice Moments
Kohli shared glimpses of his practice session on Instagram, featuring fellow players KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Harshit Rana. View the post here.
Maintaining a Strong Form
Currently, Kohli is enjoying a remarkable run in limited-overs cricket, boasting an average of 146 over his last six matches, which includes three centuries and two fifties. This comes after a challenging start to his ODI comeback in October, where he faced two consecutive ducks in Australia.
Remarkable ODI Statistics
In 2025, Kohli emerged as India's top ODI run-scorer, accumulating 651 runs in 13 innings at an average of 65.10, featuring three centuries and four fifties, with a highest score of 135 and a strike rate exceeding 96. Against New Zealand, he has scored 1,657 runs in 33 ODIs at an average of 55.23, including six centuries and nine fifties, with a personal best of 154*.
Approaching a Significant Milestone
Kohli is on the verge of a significant achievement, needing just 25 runs to become the third player in history to reach 28,000 international runs. Currently, he has 27,975 runs at an average of 52.58 across 556 matches and 623 innings, with 84 centuries and a highest score of 254*. He is set to join the ranks of cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara soon.