Virat Kohli Breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s Record, Becomes Fastest To 28,000 International Runs

India's cricket superstar Virat Kohli added another remarkable achievement to his legendary career during the first ODI against New Zealand at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on January 11.

Kohli became the fastest player in the world to reach 28,000 runs in international cricket, surpassing the previous record held by Indian great Sachin Tendulkar.

The milestone came during India's run chase in the second innings, marking yet another proud moment for the modern-day batting icon, who continues to redefine consistency and excellence across all formats.

Kohli Reaches New Milestone in Record Time

Kohli needed just 25 runs to reach the 28,000-run mark before the start of the match. He achieved it in 624 innings, breaking Tendulkar's record, who had taken 644 innings to reach the same milestone.

With this achievement, Kohli became only the third player in cricket history to score 28,000 international runs, joining Tendulkar and Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara in this elite list. Sangakkara had reached the milestone in 666 innings.

Fastest to 28,000 International Runs:

Virat Kohli - 624 innings
Sachin Tendulkar - 644 innings
Kumar Sangakkara - 666 innings

Kohli reached the milestone in style, driving a delivery from New Zealand bowler Adithya Ashok straight down the ground for a boundary in the 13th over. The shot summed up his trademark composure and class under pressure.

Felicitation and Match Highlights

Before the record-breaking innings, Kohli and India captain Rohit Sharma were felicitated during the mid-innings break. The Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) organized the ceremony, which was attended by BCCI president Mithun Minhas, vice-president Rajeev Shukla, and ICC chairman Jay Shah, among others.

The first innings saw New Zealand putting up a strong performance, scoring exactly 300 runs. Their batting was led by solid half-centuries from Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway, and Henry Nicholls, ensuring that the visitors finished the innings on a competitive note.

Captains' Take at the Toss

India's stand-in captain Shubman Gill opted to bowl first, explaining that the team wanted to test different bowling combinations and adapt to the dew factor expected in the evening. "It will be easier to bat under lights. The team environment is great, and we're going in with six bowlers today," Gill said.

New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell also shared his excitement about the series, calling it "a proud moment" for his team to play in India. He confirmed that Kristian Clarke was making his ODI debut, with Adithya Ashok leading their spin attack.

A Continuing Legacy

Kohli's latest record further cements his position among the greatest batsmen in cricket history. From his early years as an aggressive youngster to becoming one of the most consistent players across formats, his journey remains a source of inspiration for fans worldwide.

As India aims for victory in the series, Kohli's form and leadership by example continue to remind the world why he is called "King Kohli." With the T20 World Cup and major tours ahead, this milestone is another reminder that the cricket legend is far from done rewriting history.