Has Virat Kohli Become India's Highest Run-Scorer Against New Zealand in ODIs?

Key Takeaways

Virat Kohli has become India's highest run-scorer in ODIs against New Zealand.

Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's record of 1,750 runs.

He achieved this milestone with a boundary on his first ball in the innings.

Kohli is now 198 runs shy of Ricky Ponting's overall record against New Zealand.

Kohli reached 28,000 international runs faster than any other cricketer.

Rajkot, Jan 14 (NationPress) Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli has once again secured his place in the annals of cricket history during the second One-day International (ODI) against New Zealand, achieving the milestone of being India’s top run-scorer in ODIs against the Black Caps.

Kohli needed a mere single run in the ODI held at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot to surpass Sachin Tendulkar's record of 1,750 runs. He accomplished this by hitting a stunning boundary on his inaugural ball of the innings against Kristian Clarke.

In his ODI career against New Zealand, Kohli has participated in 35 matches, scoring a total of 1,773 runs before being dismissed for 23 runs in the 24th over, as he attempted to ease the mounting pressure after a seven-over boundary drought during the game. Tendulkar, in contrast, played 42 ODIs against New Zealand throughout his illustrious 24-year career, amassing 1,750 runs.

The record for the most runs in ODIs against New Zealand is held by former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who played 51 ODIs against the Black Caps from 1995 to 2011, scoring 1,971 runs in 50 innings.

Kohli is now just 198 runs away from eclipsing that total and reclaiming the top position.

Following a challenging tour of Australia where he registered two ducks, Kohli is back in remarkable form, scoring 93 runs in the ODI opener, where he also broke two significant records.

He surpassed Kumar Sangakkara, becoming the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar, who leads the list.

Kohli has now accumulated 28,068 runs, while Sangakkara concluded his career with 28,016 runs. Tendulkar retains the record for the most runs in international cricket, totaling 34,357 runs over 664 matches.

Additionally, Kohli reached the milestone of 28,000 international runs in the first ODI, achieving this feat as the fastest cricketer in just 624 innings—20 innings quicker than Tendulkar, who set the previous record at 644 innings.

Point of View

I affirm that Virat Kohli's latest achievement is a testament to his enduring talent and determination. This milestone not only elevates Kohli's legacy but also reinforces India's cricketing prowess globally. We celebrate his journey while anticipating his future contributions to the sport.

NationPress

12 Aug 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How many runs does Virat Kohli need to surpass Ricky Ponting's record?

Virat Kohli needs to score 198 more runs in upcoming matches to surpass Ricky Ponting's record of 1,971 runs against New Zealand.

What is Virat Kohli's current total run count in ODIs against New Zealand?

Virat Kohli has scored a total of 1,773 runs in ODIs against New Zealand.

Who holds the overall record for the most runs in ODIs against New Zealand?

The overall record is held by Ricky Ponting, who scored 1,971 runs in ODIs against New Zealand.

How does Kohli's achievement compare to Sachin Tendulkar's?

Kohli has now surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's tally of 1,750 runs against New Zealand, establishing himself as India's highest run-scorer in this format.

At what milestone did Kohli become the fastest cricketer?

Virat Kohli became the fastest cricketer to reach 28,000 international runs in just 624 innings.