Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli is on the verge of eclipsing another monumental record held by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar as he prepares to return to the national side for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. The prolific batter needs a mere 25 runs to cross the 28,000-run mark in international cricket, a feat that could see him achieve the milestone faster than the 'Master Blaster' himself.
The Milestone in Sight: Fastest to 28,000 Runs
As of now, Virat Kohli's career tally in international cricket stands at an impressive 27,975 runs. He requires just 25 more runs to enter the elite 28,000-run club. The significance of this achievement is magnified by the pace at which he is set to get there. Kohli has reached this point in 623 international innings. In contrast, Sachin Tendulkar had taken 644 innings to accumulate the same number of runs.
This means that if Kohli scores the required runs during the New Zealand series, or even in the subsequent series against England scheduled for July, he will officially become the fastest player in history to score 28,000 international runs, surpassing his idol. This would not be the first time Kohli has broken a Tendulkar record, having famously overtaken his tally of 49 ODI centuries during the 2023 World Cup; Kohli now has 53 ODI tons.
Carrying Forward Stellar Form
Kohli's return to the Indian team follows a successful comeback for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Bengaluru, where he recently completed 16,000 List A runs. His appearance in the domestic tournament was his first in over a decade, and he displayed the same formidable form that characterized his performances in the ODI series against South Africa prior to that.
Despite a dip in his Test numbers, Kohli has experienced a remarkable resurgence in the 50-over format since 2023. His commitment to the ODI game remains unwavering, especially with an eye on the 2027 World Cup. In the calendar year 2025, he amassed 651 runs in 13 matches at a stunning average of 65.10, including three centuries and four half-centuries.
What Lies Ahead for King Kohli
The upcoming series against New Zealand presents the immediate platform for this historic pursuit. Following the ODIs, Kohli is expected to shift his focus to T20 cricket, representing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
For fans and cricket historians alike, the series marks another potential landmark moment. Every run Kohli scores will be scrutinized as he closes in on yet another legendary benchmark, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest batters the sport has ever seen.
