Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli penned another glorious chapter in his illustrious one-day career on Saturday. He soared past Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara’s impressive tally of 14,234 runs to become the second-highest run-scorer in the history of One-Day Internationals.
Kohli’s current standing is an astounding 14,235 runs from just 293 innings, placing him firmly behind only the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the all-time record with 18,426 runs.
Most Runs in ODIs:
- 18,426 – Sachin Tendulkar (452 innings)
- 14,235 – Virat Kohli (293 innings) *
- 14,234 – Kumar Sangakkara (380 innings)
- 13,704 – Ricky Ponting (365 innings)
- 13,430 – Sanath Jayasuriya (433 innings)
At the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground, in a match where India was striving to avoid a series whitewash against Australia, Kohli delivered another masterclass. He crafted a calm and calculated innings, expertly guiding India’s chase alongside his captain, Rohit Sharma.
Virat Kohli in action during the India vs Australia 3rd ODI.
This crucial half-century, his first in this three-match series following two consecutive ducks, not only stabilized India’s innings after an early dismissal of Shubman Gill but also added a string of remarkable personal milestones to his name.
Kohli’s fifty marked his 24th score of 50 or more against Australia in ODIs. This achievement puts him on par with Sachin Tendulkar’s record against the same opponent, an incredible feat made even more impressive by the fact that Kohli reached it in just 51 innings, compared to Tendulkar’s 70. This innings also pushed his total runs against Australia in ODIs past the 2,500 mark, solidifying his reputation as one of the most formidable batsmen against the world champions.
His century-stand partnership with Rohit Sharma was a throwback to vintage Indian cricket, their first in any format since January 2020. The duo batted with exquisite precision, seamlessly rotating the strike while unleashing powerful boundaries, ensuring India maintained a commanding position in the chase. True to his famous moniker, “Chasemaster,” Kohli once again demonstrated his unparalleled control and composure during the pursuit, recording his 70th fifty-plus score in successful ODI chases – the highest by any batter in the game’s history.
Earlier in the game, India’s bowling unit laid a strong foundation. Young pacer Harshit Rana shone brightly with a career-best figures of 4 for 39, while Washington Sundar secured two vital wickets, contributing to Australia’s collapse at 236 runs in 46.4 overs.
Australia, already holding a 2-0 lead in the series after victories in Perth and Adelaide, initially seemed destined for another imposing total. However, India’s bowlers mounted a stunning comeback, triggering a dramatic collapse that saw them claim the last seven wickets for a mere 53 runs.
But as is often the case in these electrifying India-Australia encounters, the day belonged to Virat Kohli. From his relieved smile after scoring his first run of the series to the thunderous cheers from the Sydney crowd, and the numerous records shattered along the way – it was all a powerful reminder of why he continues to be celebrated as one of the greatest players to ever grace One-Day International cricket.