Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli once again etched his name into the history books by breaking a long-standing record held by Sachin Tendulkar. The historic moment came during the second ODI against New Zealand at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot, where Kohli surpassed Tendulkar’s 17-year-old milestone to become India’s highest run-scorer against New Zealand in ODIs.
This remarkable achievement further strengthens Kohli’s legacy as one of the greatest batsmen the game has ever seen.
Virat Kohli Breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s 17-Year-Old World Record, Creates History vs New Zealand
Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli once again etched his name into the history books by breaking a long-standing record held by Sachin Tendulkar. The historic moment came during the second ODI against New Zealand at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot, where Kohli surpassed Tendulkar’s 17-year-old milestone to become India’s highest run-scorer against New Zealand in ODIs.
This remarkable achievement further strengthens Kohli’s legacy as one of the greatest batsmen the game has ever seen.
A Historic Knock in Rajkot
Virat Kohli entered the second ODI in red-hot form after playing a match-winning knock of 93 runs in the first ODI, guiding India to a thrilling two-wicket victory. With India chasing stability after Rohit Sharma’s early dismissal, Kohli walked in with confidence and immediately made his intentions clear by hitting a boundary off the very first ball he faced.
That boundary was not just another run—it was a record-breaking moment.
Kohli Surpasses Sachin Tendulkar’s Elite Record
Sachin Tendulkar had scored 1,750 ODI runs against New Zealand across 41 innings, a record that stood unchallenged for nearly two decades. Virat Kohli broke this iconic record in just 35 innings, showcasing his exceptional consistency and dominance.
Indians with Most ODI Runs vs New Zealand
- Virat Kohli – 1,751+ runs (35 innings)
- Sachin Tendulkar – 1,750 runs (41 innings)
With this, Kohli now stands second overall on the global list of most ODI runs against New Zealand, trailing only Ricky Ponting, who scored 1,971 runs in 50 innings.
Kohli’s Golden Run Continues
Kohli has been in sublime form in recent months. Before the New Zealand series, he smashed two centuries against South Africa, proving his hunger for runs is far from over. Though he was dismissed for 23 runs in the second ODI, his impact had already been made with the record-breaking achievement.
What’s even more exciting is that Kohli now has another major milestone within reach.
Another Record in Sight for Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli is currently tied with Ricky Ponting for the most ODI centuries against New Zealand, with six centuries each. If Kohli manages to score a hundred in the third ODI, he will become the player with the most ODI centuries against New Zealand, adding yet another feather to his already glittering cap.
Virat Kohli Reclaims No.1 ODI Ranking
It was truly a double celebration for Kohli fans. Alongside breaking records, Virat Kohli also reclaimed the No.1 spot in the ICC ODI rankings after a gap of 1,736 days.
Kohli had last held the top ranking in early 2021 before being overtaken by Babar Azam. Thanks to his consistent performances since his comeback, Kohli has now returned to the summit, replacing Rohit Sharma, who slipped to third following back-to-back low scores in the series.
A Living Legend Still Making History
Breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s record is no small feat, and doing it with such efficiency highlights Virat Kohli’s greatness. From chasing records to reclaiming rankings, Kohli continues to inspire millions and redefine excellence in world cricket.
As India gears up for the final ODI, fans will be eagerly watching to see if King Kohli can script yet another historic chapter.