Virat Kohli breaks Sachin Tendulkar record in ODI vs New Zealand
Virat Kohli once again rewrote the record books, surpassing legendary Sachin Tendulkar to become India’s highest run-scorer against New Zealand in ODIs. The historic moment came during the second ODI of the India vs New Zealand series in January 2026, further strengthening Kohli’s legacy in the 50-over format. So let’s know about Virat Kohli breaks Sachin Tendulkar record in ODI.
With this achievement, Kohli now sits second on the all-time list of players with most ODI runs against New Zealand, trailing only Australian great Ricky Ponting.
Kohli Overtakes Tendulkar With First-Ball Boundary
Heading into the second ODI, Virat Kohli was tied with Sachin Tendulkar after scoring a sublime 93 in the series opener. Needing just one run to go past the Master Blaster, Kohli wasted no time.
He crossed the landmark in emphatic fashion, hitting a boundary off the very first ball he faced, instantly becoming India’s most prolific ODI run-scorer against the Black Caps.
The moment underlined Kohli’s dominance against New Zealand and added another milestone to his glittering career.
Most ODI Runs Against New Zealand – Elite List
Here’s how the top run-scorers stack up in ODIs against New Zealand:
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Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 1,971 runs (51 matches, Avg: 45.83)
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Virat Kohli (India) – 1,751+ runs (35 matches, Avg: 56.40)
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Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 1,750 runs (42 matches, Avg: 46.05)
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Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – 1,519 runs (47 matches, Avg: 33.75)
Notably, Kohli boasts the best average among the top four, highlighting his consistency and dominance.
Record-Breaking Week for Virat Kohli
Kohli’s feat against New Zealand capped off an extraordinary week filled with historic achievements. Earlier, during the first ODI in Vadodara on January 11, the Indian batting icon reached another monumental milestone.
He became the fastest cricketer in history to score 28,000 international runs, achieving the landmark in just 624 innings, eclipsing Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record of 644 innings.
In the process, Kohli also overtook Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket, behind only Tendulkar.
Kohli Reclaims No.1 Spot in ICC ODI Rankings
Adding to his remarkable resurgence, the ICC confirmed on January 14, 2026, that Virat Kohli has regained the No.1 ranking in Men’s ODI batting.
By overtaking teammate Rohit Sharma, Kohli returned to the top spot for the first time since July 2021. This marks his 11th separate stint as the world’s No.1 ODI batter, a rare achievement in modern cricket.
At 37, Kohli’s form has been nothing short of sensational, highlighted by five consecutive 50-plus scores in ODIs, proving his enduring class and hunger for runs.
Why This Record Matters
Breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record against New Zealand is more than just a statistical milestone. It symbolizes Kohli’s era-defining dominance, adaptability across conditions, and unmatched consistency over the years.
With the 2027 World Cup cycle underway, Kohli’s purple patch bodes well for India’s ambitions in the ODI format.
FAQs – Virat Kohli vs New Zealand Records
Q1. Which record did Virat Kohli break against New Zealand?
Virat Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to become India’s highest ODI run-scorer against New Zealand.
Q2. Who has the most ODI runs against New Zealand overall?
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting tops the list with 1,971 runs.
Q3. When did Kohli break Sachin Tendulkar’s record?
Kohli broke the record during the second ODI of the India vs New Zealand series in January 2026.
Q4. Is Virat Kohli currently the No.1 ODI batter?
Yes, Kohli reclaimed the No.1 spot in the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings on January 14, 2026.
Q5. How many international runs has Virat Kohli scored?
Virat Kohli has crossed 28,000 international runs, making him the second-highest run-scorer in cricket history.
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