IND vs NZ 2nd ODI: Virat Kohli Breaks Another Sachin Tendulkar Record with First Run

Rajkot: Virat Kohli continues to rewrite the record books in ODI cricket, leaving legends like Sachin Tendulkar behind. In the second ODI against New Zealand at Rajkot today (14 January), Kohli broke another iconic record with just his first run of the match.

Becomes India’s Highest Run-Scorer vs New Zealand
With that first run, Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to become the highest run-scorer for India against New Zealand in ODIs. Tendulkar had amassed 1,750 runs in 42 ODIs against the Kiwis. Kohli had needed 93 runs at the start of the series to equal Sachin’s tally and achieved this with a 93-run innings in the first ODI at Vadodara. This had put both batting legends jointly at the top. However, with his first run in Rajkot, Kohli has now taken the solo No. 1 position.

Eyes on Centuries and Consecutive 50+ Scores
Kohli already holds the record for the most centuries in ODIs, with 53 hundreds, far ahead of Tendulkar. Against New Zealand, he is currently tied with Virender Sehwag at six centuries each. A century in today’s match would make him the sole record-holder.

Additionally, Kohli is chasing a record for scoring 50 or more in six consecutive ODI innings—a milestone no Indian batter has achieved yet. So far, only five consecutive 50+ scores have been recorded by Indian batsmen in ODIs, a list including Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.

Targeting Record at No. 3 Position
Kohli is also aiming to become the highest run-scorer while batting at the No. 3 position in ODIs. Currently second on this list, he has 12,529 runs at No. 3. The record is held by former Australian captain Ricky Ponting with 12,662 runs. If Kohli scores 134 runs in today’s match, he will surpass Ponting and set a new benchmark.

Virat Kohli’s phenomenal consistency and record-breaking form continue to solidify his status as one of the greatest ODI batsmen in cricket history.