India’s batting maestro Virat Kohli has climbed to the second position on the list of highest run-scorers in international cricket, overtaking Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara. The landmark achievement came during the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara, where Kohli played a crucial knock to steer India to victory.
Kohli reached a career total of 28,068 runs across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, moving past Sangakkara’s previous tally of 28,016 — leaving only fellow Indian great Sachin Tendulkar (34,357 runs) ahead of him.
The 37-year-old veteran struck a well-timed 93-run innings, guiding India to chase down a target of 301 with four wickets and six balls to spare. His performance not only anchored the chase but also highlighted his enduring class across formats.
Reflecting on the milestone after being named Player of the Match, Kohli described his journey as immensely rewarding, crediting hard work and resilience for his sustained success.
Now playing exclusively in ODIs after stepping away from Test and T20 cricket, Kohli’s latest accomplishment adds another historic chapter to his illustrious career — further cementing his place among the game’s all-time greats.
Reference is taken from here