In a thrilling start to the ODI series against New Zealand in Vadodara, Virat Kohli etched his name in cricket history yet again, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar to become the fastest to 28,000 runs in international cricket. The record-breaking feat occurred during the first ODI between India and New Zealand. Kohli reached the milestone in just 624 innings, eclipsing Tendulkar's previous record of 644 innings.
Kohli's achievement underscores his dominance across all formats of the game and further cements his legacy as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. Often called "King Kohli," "Chase Master" and the "Run Machine", the 38-year-old right-handed batsman has consistently set new benchmarks for excellence with hard work, dedication and undying passion for cricket.
The former India captain has an impressive international record. As of January 2026, he has 84 international centuries, including 53 in One Day Internationals (ODIs), 30 in Test cricket, and 1 in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). He holds the record for the most centuries in ODIs. In November 2023, Kohli surpassed Tendulkar's record for most ODI centuries, reaching his 50th century in the format.
Kohli is also the fastest batsman to reach 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000 and 12,000 runs in ODIs. In addition to his batting prowess, Kohli has also been a successful captain, leading India to numerous victories and holding the ICC Test Mace for three consecutive years. He captained the U19 World Cup-winning team in 2008 and was a crucial member of the teams that won the 2011 ODI World Cup, the 2013 Champions Trophy, the 2024 T20 World Cup, and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) named Kohli the male cricketer of the decade in 2020. He has won ten ICC Awards, making him the most awarded player in international cricket history.
While Kohli's recent Test match was in January 2025 against Australia, and his most recent T20 match was in June 2024 against South Africa, this latest record demonstrates his enduring impact on the sport. As Kohli continues his career, fans and analysts alike eagerly anticipate the new heights he will reach.
