Virat Kohli Achieves Milestone with 93 Runs Against New Zealand
Kohli's Historic Performance
In a remarkable display of skill, Indian cricket star Virat Kohli scored 93 runs in the first ODI against New Zealand, marking a significant milestone in his international career. With this innings, Kohli has now become the second-highest run-scorer across all formats in international cricket.
Recent statistics reveal that Kohli has surpassed former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara, who amassed 28,016 international runs. The only player ahead of Kohli now is the legendary Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the record with 34,357 runs. Since making his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in 2008, Kohli has accumulated a total of 28,068 runs in Test, ODI, and T20 formats.
In the match held in Vadodara, India was set a target of 301 runs for victory. Thanks to Kohli's impressive 93 runs off 91 balls, the Indian team successfully chased down the target with four wickets in hand and six balls to spare, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Kohli's outstanding performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
Reflecting on his journey after the match, Kohli expressed that looking back at his career feels like a dream come true. He emphasized his unwavering belief in his abilities, acknowledging that hard work was essential to reach this point. He expressed gratitude to God and stated that he views his journey with pride and thankfulness.
Discussing his approach to the game, Kohli mentioned that he now focuses on making the most of the first 20 balls at the start of his innings, applying pressure on bowlers when opportunities arise. Despite Rohit Sharma's early dismissal, Kohli opted for an aggressive strategy, putting New Zealand's bowling attack on the back foot.
Notably, the 37-year-old, popularly known as 'King Kohli,' is currently representing India only in the ODI format. Both Kohli and Rohit Sharma have retired from T20 and Test cricket. Discussions about the future of these two cricketing giants are intensifying, with speculation that their next major goal could be the 2027 ODI World Cup.