Team India batsman Virat Kohli is on the verge of a big milestone in international cricket ahead of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. The experienced batsman has a chance to overtake Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara to move into second place in the all-time list of men’s international run-scorers.
Kohli worked hard with his teammates in an intense practice session ahead of the start of the series in Vadodara. The three-match ODI series will start from January 11 at the BCA Stadium. This will be India’s first international assignment in 2026. After the ODI, the team will play a five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
Virat Kohli is 42 runs away from becoming the second highest run scorer.
Kohli needs 42 more runs to reach second place in the all-time list of men’s international run-scorers. Kohli has scored 27,975 runs and is behind Kumar Sangakkara, who has 28,016 runs.
Sachin Tendulkar remains far ahead in the list of top batsmen. Kohli can overtake Sangakkara in 624 innings, which is less than the 666 innings taken by Sangakkara to reach his mark.
| player | Turn | it goes | average | 100/50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 782 | 34,357 | 48.52 | 100/164 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | 666 | 28,016 | 46.77 | 63/153 |
| Virat Kohli | 623 | 27,975 | 52.58 | 84/145 |
| ricky ponting | 668 | 27,483 | 45.95 | 71/146 |
| Mahela Jayawardene | 725 | 25,957 | 39.15 | 54/136 |
| jacques calis | 617 | 25,534 | 49.10 | 62/149 |
Virat Kohli eyes big ODI record against New Zealand
The 36-year-old needs 93 runs in the upcoming ODI series to overtake Sachin Tendulkar to become India’s highest run-scorer against New Zealand in this format. Kohli has scored 1,657 runs in 33 innings against New Zealand, while Tendulkar has scored 1,750 runs in 41 innings.
The senior batsman is performing brilliantly in 50 over cricket. Since the third ODI of the Australia tour, he has recorded six consecutive fifty-plus scores in international matches and the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
He scored an unbeaten 74 against Australia, followed by two centuries against South Africa and an unbeaten 65 just missing out on another century. Kohli then returned to the Vijay Hazare Trophy after more than a decade and played consecutive match-winning innings of 131 and 77.
India enter New Zealand ODI with confidence after winning South Africa series
India came into the New Zealand series after winning the home ODI series against South Africa 2–1, with Virat Kohli receiving the Player of the Series award.
In the ODI matches between India and New Zealand, both the teams have played 120 matches. India have won 62, New Zealand have won 50, with seven matches ending in a no-result and one tied.
Their most recent 50-over meeting came in the 2025 Champions Trophy final, where Rohit Sharma-led India defeated New Zealand to lift the title in Dubai.
India will also be boosted by the return of captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, both of whom missed the last ODI series against South Africa due to injuries.
Also read: Virat Kohli’s long relationship with RCB house ends suddenly before IPL 2026
