India’s star batsman Virat Kohli added another chapter to his illustrious career on Sunday, becoming the fastest player to reach 28,000 runs in international cricket during the ODI series opener against New Zealand, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record.
Kohli achieved the feat in just 624 innings, eclipsing Tendulkar’s mark of 644 innings and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara’s 666 innings.
In the process, he also surpassed Sangakkara’s tally of 28,016 runs, now only behind Tendulkar’s career total of 34,357 international runs.
Coming into the match, Kohli needed 25 runs to reach the milestone. He brought it up in style with a boundary in the 12th over and then surpassed Sangakkara’s total with a Michael Bracewell single off the last ball of the 18th over.
The fastest in 28,000 international races.
- Virat Kohli – 624 innings
- Sachin Tendulkar – 644 entries
- Kumar Sangakkara – 666 entries
Batting first, New Zealand posted a competitive 300-8 in their 50 overs, with Daryll Mitchell top-scoring with 84.
India’s reply started steadily, with Rohit Sharma and returning Shubman Gill forming a 39-run opening partnership.
After Rohit fell for 26, Kohli anchored the innings, forming a 118-run partnership with Gill.
Gill contributed 56 off 71 balls, while Kohli dominated proceedings until the first ball of the 39th over, when he was caught on 93 off 91 balls, hitting eight fours and a six.
India finally sealed a thrilling four-wicket victory over the Black Caps in the final, with KL Rahul remaining unbeaten on 29.
