Auckland, Nov 4: 'Chase Master' Virat Kohli continued to rewrite the record books in the ODIs as he surpassed 'Master Blaster' Sachin Tendulkar to become the batter with the most runs in ODI chases during Team India's first ODI against New Zealand in Auckland on Wednesday (November 4).
The Indian batting talisman moved past Tendulkar's tally of 8,720 runs in ODI run chases, taking his overall tally to 8,741. Kohli - who will be celebrating his 37th birthday in a few hours - achieved the milestone with an average of 66.21 and a strike rate of 95.03, underlining his remarkable consistency while batting second. Tendulkar, meanwhile, had scored 8,720 runs in ODI chases at an average of 42.33 and a strike rate of 88.44.
Virat Kohli's Remarkable Record In ODI Chases
Kohli's numbers in ODI chases
have long been a defining feature of his career. His ability to pace an innings, absorb pressure and accelerate when required has made him one of the most dependable run-getters in the format.
Surpassing Tendulkar's tally further strengthens Kohli's standing as one of the greatest ODI batters of all time. His average of 66.21 in chases is significantly higher than Tendulkar's 42.33, while his strike rate of 95.03 also reflects his ability to score at a brisk pace.
The milestone came during Kohli's impressive innings against New Zealand, where he scored 74 off 51 balls to help India chase a revised target of 143 in 32 overs. The right-handed top-order batter's innings at Eden Park was laced with 13 fours and a six. Kohli shared a 113-run partnership with Shubman Gill for the second wicket to set up a solid platform for an easy run chase for the visitors.
Kohli Equals Ricky Ponting's Record Against New Zealand
Kohli also equalled former Australia captain Ricky Ponting's record for the most ODI runs against New Zealand.
Both Kohli and Ponting have scored 1,971 runs against the Black Caps in ODI cricket. The Indian batter's latest milestone adds to an already remarkable record against New Zealand, one of the teams he has consistently performed against in the format.
The list of leading run-scorers against New Zealand in ODIs features some of the game's biggest names:
| Batter | Runs |
|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 1,971 |
| Ricky Ponting | 1,971 |
| Sachin Tendulkar | 1,750 |
| Kumar Sangakkara | 1,568 |
| Sanath Jayasuriya | 1,519 |
| Jacques Kallis | 1,449 |
Kohli's latest achievements once again highlight his remarkable longevity and consistency in ODI cricket. With the New Zealand series underway, the Indian star will have further opportunities to move ahead of Ponting and add to his growing list of records.
