India’s star batter Virat Kohli on Sunday added another chapter to his illustrious career, becoming the fastest player to reach 28,000 runs in international cricket in the opening match of the ODI series against New Zealand, surpassing the long-standing record held by Sachin Tendulkar.
Kohli achieved the feat in just 624 innings, eclipsing Tendulkar’s mark of 644 innings and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara’s 666 innings.
In the process, he also surpassed Sangakkara’s total of 28,016 runs, now behind Tendulkar’s career total of 34,357 international runs.
Before the match, Kohli needed 25 runs to reach this milestone. He tackled it in style with a boundary in the 12th over and then surpassed Sangakkara’s total with a single off Michael Bracewell on the last ball of the 18th over.
The fastest with 28,000 international races
- Virat Kohli – 624 innings
- Sachin Tendulkar – 644 innings
- Kumar Sangakkara – 666 innings
Put into bat first, New Zealand posted a competitive score of 300-8 in their 50 overs, with Daryll Mitchell top scorer with 84.
India’s response started steadily, with Rohit Sharma and the returning Shubman Gill putting together a 39-run opening partnership.
After Rohit fell for 26, Kohli anchored the innings, forming a 118-run partnership with Gill.
Gill contributed 56 off 71 balls, while Kohli dominated proceedings until the first ball of the 39th over, when he was caught for 93 off 91 balls, hitting eight fours and a six.
India eventually sealed a thrilling four-wicket win over the Black Caps in the final, with KL Rahul remaining unbeaten on 29.
