Virat Kohli has created a new record by becoming the fastest batter to reach 28,000 runs in international cricket. He achieved the milestone during the first ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara. Kohli is now only the third player ever to cross the 28,000-run mark, joining legends Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara – but he got there quicker than both. Tendulkar reached the mark in 644 innings and Sangakkara in 666 innings.
Kohli is also close to a few more records. With 42 runs, he can move up to number two on the list of the highest run-scorers in international cricket. Another 73 runs will make him only the second Asian player to score 3,000 international runs against New Zealand. He also needs 94 runs to become India’s highest run-scorer against New Zealand in ODIs. And if he scores 128 runs in matches India wins, he will become the second-highest run-scorer in ODI wins overall.
Kohli’s strong form across formats
Kohli has been in great touch since returning to international cricket during the Australia tour in October last year. Even though he began that tour with two ducks, he bounced back with consistent performances. In the recent ODI series against South Africa, he scored two centuries, and he added another hundred in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
In their head-to-head encounters, India has maintained a clear advantage with 62 victories, while the BlackCaps have secured 50 wins. This competitive rivalry also includes seven matches that concluded without a result, leaving the overall tally in favor of the Men in Blue as they continue their long-standing battle on the cricket field.
India’s squad for the New Zealand ODIs
The BCCI has announced India’s squad for the ODI series against New Zealand, with some interesting changes. Shubman Gill returns as captain, while Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah have been given rest. Although many expected Mohammed Shami to return, the selectors chose Mohammed Siraj instead.
Shreyas Iyer is back after recovering from injury, and Rishabh Pant keeps his place despite questions about his form.
The squad includes: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain, subject to fitness), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal.