Virat Kohli delivered another batting masterclass against New Zealand in the first ODI at Eden Park, Auckland. The Indian superstar smashed 74 off just 51 deliveries to register his 80th ODI half-century on the eve of his 38th birthday. While India secured a five-wicket victory through the DLS method, Kohli’s latest performance produced several remarkable statistical milestones.
The former Indian captain became the first batter to score 13,000 ODI runs at No. 3. His extraordinary consistency in successful run chases and his recent numbers since retiring from Test cricket further underline his enduring dominance. Here are four numbers that show why Kohli still makes international cricket look effortless.
Virat Kohli Becomes The First Batter To Score 13,000 ODI Runs At No. 3
Kohli entered the first ODI against New Zealand needing just 12 runs to reach an unprecedented milestone. The 37-year-old achieved the landmark with the 13th delivery of his innings after arriving at the crease following Rohit Sharma’s early dismissal. Kohli eventually finished the innings with 74 runs, taking his overall tally at the No. 3 position to 13,062.
The achievement puts Kohli comfortably ahead of some legendary names in ODI history. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting previously occupied the second position with 12,662 runs, while Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara follows with 9,747. Kohli’s average of 61.61 at the position is also significantly higher than his closest competitors.
The following table highlights the three most prolific run-scorers at No. 3 in ODI cricket.
| Batter | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s |
| Virat Kohli | 13,062 | 61.61 | 48 | 70 |
| Ricky Ponting | 12,662 | 42.48 | 29 | 74 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | 9,747 | 44.71 | 18 | 66 |
According to the all-time ODI batting position leaderboard, Kohli reached 13,000 runs in just 251 innings. Ponting required 330 innings to accumulate his 12,662 runs at the same position. Sachin Tendulkar, meanwhile, remains ahead of Kohli for the most runs at a single batting position, having scored 13,685 at No. 2.
Virat Kohli Has 10 Fifty-Plus Scores In His Last 14 ODI Innings
Kohli’s recent ODI form makes his latest milestone even more impressive. The Indian batter has registered ten scores of at least 50 runs in his last 14 innings, including four centuries and six half-centuries. His latest 74 against New Zealand continued a remarkable run of consistency across different conditions and opponents.
Here are his last 14 ODI scores, starting with the oldest innings:
74*, 135, 102, 65*, 93, 23, 124, 5, 65, 74, 139*, 29, 0, 74.
The sequence includes an unbeaten 139 against West Indies recently and a 124 against New Zealand earlier in 2026. Kohli has demonstrated an ability to produce big scores without sacrificing his attacking intent. The latest half-century adds another entry to an increasingly impressive list of performances.
Virat Kohli Has 55 Fifty-Plus Scores In Successful ODI Chases
Kohli has built a reputation for delivering when India needs him most. His record in successful ODI run chases remains one of the strongest arguments for his status among the greatest batters in the format. The numbers become even more remarkable when his average and century count are considered.
Kohli In Successful ODI Run Chases
| Statistical category | Record |
| Innings | 108 |
| Runs | 6,477 |
| Average | 89.95 |
| 100s | 25 |
| 50s | 30 |
| Total 50+ Scores | 55 |
An average of 89.95 across 108 innings is an extraordinary achievement in a format where chasing totals can involve considerable pressure. Kohli has accumulated 25 centuries and 30 half-centuries in successful ODI chases alone. His ability to assess targets, pace an innings and accelerate when required has consistently separated him from other elite batters.
The latest innings also brought another historic achievement. Kohli moved past Sachin Tendulkar’s 8,720 runs to become the leading run-scorer in ODI chases overall, with 8,741 runs. The broader category includes both successful and unsuccessful chases, and Kohli has compiled those runs at an average of 66.21. The updated statistical breakdown of Kohli’s ODI chasing records further demonstrates his extraordinary impact when batting second.
Virat Kohli Is The Only Batter To Average 50+ In All Four SENA Countries
Kohli has achieved another remarkable distinction in ODI cricket by becoming the only batter in history to average 50 or more in all four SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia). He averages 76.38 in South Africa, with 993 runs and three centuries, while his record in New Zealand stands at 670 runs at 51.53, including one hundred. These numbers highlight his ability to adapt to challenging overseas conditions and different bowling attacks.
Kohli has also scored 1,493 runs in England at an average of 51.48, with one century, and accumulated 1,401 runs in Australia at 50.03, including five centuries. Maintaining an average above 50 across all four countries is a testament to his remarkable consistency outside the subcontinent. His performances in these conditions further strengthen his credentials as one of the greatest ODI batters of his generation.
Virat Kohli Has Scored 1,002 Runs Since Test Retirement
Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket in May 2025 has allowed him to concentrate on the ODI format. His performances since returning to international cricket in October 2025 have been nothing short of sensational. Across 16 ODI innings, the veteran batter has accumulated 1,002 runs at an average of 77.07.
Virat Kohli’s ODI Record Since Test Retirement
| Statistical category | Record |
| Matches | 16 |
| Runs | 1,002 |
| Average | 77.07 |
| Strike rate | 115.17 |
| 100s | 4 |
| 50s | 6 |
Four centuries and six half-centuries mean that 10 of his 16 innings have produced scores of at least 50. His strike rate of 115.17 also highlights the attacking dimension of his recent performances. These numbers show that Kohli has not simply maintained his consistency after retiring from Tests but has continued to improve his impact in ODI cricket.
Kohli’s overall ODI record now stands at 15,183 runs, including 55 centuries and 80 half-centuries. He averages 58.85 across 318 appearances, placing him among the most prolific batters in cricket history. The latest breakdown of his post-retirement ODI numbers highlights the consistency behind this remarkable period.
Virat Kohli Makes Eden Park Look Easy With Another Masterclass
Kohli’s 74 against New Zealand was particularly impressive because of the challenging batting conditions. Eden Park offered considerably more bounce and pace than several batters had anticipated, making it difficult to settle against the hard lengths. Kohli, however, appeared completely comfortable against the New Zealand attack.
A particularly interesting statistic emerged from his performance against the shorter deliveries. Kohli scored 43 runs off 25 balls against back-of-a-length and shorter deliveries, including seven fours and a six. The other batters managed just 108 runs from 150 such deliveries while losing seven wickets.
The Cricbuzz analysis of Kohli’s performance on the tricky Auckland surface highlights how effectively he handled the bounce. His pull shots against Blair Tickner were particularly impressive, demonstrating his control against deliveries that troubled other batters.
Kohli was well on course for a much bigger score and had the potential to move towards his 56th ODI century. Repeated rain interruptions, however, reduced the target and compressed India’s run chase under the DLS method. The batter eventually departed for 74 after scoring 13 fours and a six, leaving India just 19 runs away from victory.
The performance also extended another remarkable record against New Zealand. Kohli equalled Ponting’s tally of 1,971 ODI runs against the Black Caps, with both batters now sharing the record. The Indian superstar has accumulated those runs at an average of 57.97, including seven centuries and 11 half-centuries.
Virat Kohli’s Commitment In The Field Remains Exceptional
The batting masterclass was not Kohli’s only contribution at Eden Park. The veteran also produced one of the finest fielding moments of the match with a spectacular one-handed diving catch at second slip. Kohli plucked a thick outside edge from Nathan Smith off Anshul Kamboj’s bowling, dismissing the New Zealand batter for just one run.
The catch demonstrated his outstanding reflexes, athleticism and commitment on the field. With his 38th birthday approaching, Kohli continues to display the fitness levels expected from an elite international athlete. The moment was another reminder that his contribution to the Indian team extends well beyond his batting performances.
India Take A 1-0 Lead Against New Zealand
India’s victory was built on an impressive bowling performance before Kohli took control of the chase. Captain Shubman Gill also contributed 37 runs during India’s chase after Rohit Sharma departed early. Gill has previously demonstrated his ability to anchor demanding ODI pursuits, as seen in the 406-run chase against West Indies alongside Rohit Sharma.
New Zealand were bowled out for 185 in 40.2 overs, with Arshdeep Singh claiming four wickets and Gurnoor Brar picking up three. Anshul Kamboj also impressed with figures of 2/22 in 10 overs to earn Player of the Match honours. Rain interruptions reduced India’s target to 143 in 32 overs under the DLS method. The visitors eventually reached 143/5 in 22.4 overs to secure a five-wicket victory and take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
What Lies Ahead For Virat Kohli In The 2027 World Cup Cycle?
Kohli’s latest performance arrives at an important stage of India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The batter will turn 38 on November 5, but his recent performances suggest that age has done little to diminish his influence in the 50-over format. Maintaining his fitness and consistency will remain crucial as India build towards the tournament.
His latest numbers also strengthen the debate surrounding his international century tally. Kohli currently has 86 international centuries across formats, with 55 of those coming in ODIs. Stadium Rant previously examined why Kohli could reach 90–92 international centuries by the 2027 World Cup.
The coming months will provide further opportunities for Kohli to extend his records and strengthen his position in India’s ODI setup. His latest masterclass against New Zealand has offered another reminder of the standards he continues to maintain. The focus will now turn towards Wellington and the remaining matches of the series.
End Of My Virat Kohli Rant
Kohli’s 80th ODI half-century was about much more than another impressive individual score. The 13,000-run milestone at No. 3, his remarkable chasing record, and his consistency since Test retirement underline his extraordinary longevity. With the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching, Kohli continues to give Indian cricket plenty of reasons to believe that his best performances are not necessarily behind him.
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