Virat Kohli breaks Sachin Tendulkar's 17-year-old world record to create history and top epic list

Times Now Digital

MSN|15-01-2026

Virat Kohli scripted history during the second ODI against New Zealand at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. Kohli came into the contest on the back of a stunning show in the first ODI, where he scored 93 runs to play a significant role in India's two-wicket win. After Rohit Sharma fell early, Virat Kohli came out to bat and struck a boundary on the first ball. Soon after, he broke a massive record held by Sachin Tendulkar.

Virat Kohli Breaks Sachin Tendulkar's Record
Virat Kohli became India's highest run scorer against New Zealand in ODIs.

Sachin Tendulkar
scored 1750 runs in 41 ODI innings against New Zealand, and Kohli shattered the record in just his 35th innings.
Virat jumped to second in the overall list of most ODI runs against New Zealand, behind Ricky Ponting, who scored 1971 runs in 50 innings.
Virat has been in sublime form of late and scored two centuries against South Africa in the preceding series. However, he was dismissed for 23 in the second ODI. Kohli, though, has a chance to break another massive record in the final ODI. If Virat Kohli can score a century in the third ODI, he will break Ricky Ponting's record of most centuries against New Zealand in ODIs.
Kohli and Ponting are tied with six centuries against New Zealand, and another century will put Virat Kohli at the top of the list.

Virat Kohli Reclaims No.1 ODI Rankings
Meanwhile, it was double delight for Virat Kohli fans as the veteran also became the No.1 ODI batsman after 1736 days. Kohli had lost the top position to Babar Azam in early 2021. After a consistent run in ODIs since making a comeback, Kohli reclaimed the top position in the ICC ODI rankings. He replaced Rohit Sharma, who slipped to three after back-to-back failures in the ODI series.
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