Indian batting star Virat Kohli scripted another major record in ODI cricket during the first match against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. Kohli became only the second batter in men’s ODI history to cross the 15,000-run mark after Sachin Tendulkar.
Kohli Reaches 15,000 Runs in 303 Innings
Kohli entered the match needing 59 runs to reach the landmark. He completed the milestone in his 303rd ODI innings with a boundary off West Indies pacer Alzarri Joseph.
Tendulkar had reached 15,000 ODI runs in his 377th innings. Kohli therefore reached the landmark 74 innings faster than the legendary Indian batter.
Kohli also became the fastest batter to reach several major ODI run milestones, including 8,000 through 14,000 runs.
Kohli Ahead in Age, Innings and Balls Faced
At the time of reaching 15,000 runs, Kohli was 34 years and 66 days old, while Tendulkar was 37 years and 326 days old when he reached the same milestone.
Kohli also needed fewer deliveries. He reached 15,000 runs after facing 15,950 balls, compared with Tendulkar’s 17,528 deliveries.
However, one record remains with Tendulkar. From the date of their respective ODI debuts, Tendulkar reached 15,000 runs in 6,402 days, while Kohli took 6,614 days.
Kohli’s Unbeaten 139 Powers India to Victory
Kohli completed his record-breaking milestone during a dominant chase against the West Indies. He remained unbeaten on 139 and helped India chase down the target of 296 runs with eight wickets in hand.
Shubman Gill also scored a century, while India reached the target in 41.4 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Kohli’s latest achievement adds another significant chapter to his ODI career and places him alongside Tendulkar as the only two batters to have crossed 15,000 runs in the format.