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Virat Kohli equals Ricky Ponting's record for most 50+ scores against New Zealand in ODIs

During the opening match of the five-match series, Virat Kohli delivered a commanding performance of 74 runs from 51 deliveries, featuring thirteen fours and a single maximum, to help guide India to a five-wicket victory. His knock helped chase down a target of 185 after the hosts were restricted by a strong bowling display during rainy conditions.

This innings allowed Kohli to match Ricky Ponting with eighteen fifty-plus scores against New Zealand in ODIs, while also establishing a new global benchmark by reaching fifty scores of fifty or more in away fixtures within the format. Additionally, his career aggregate against the same opposition drew level with Ponting at 1,971 runs, and his combined tally of twenty-seven fifty-plus scores across all international formats now places him alongside Ponting and Babar Azam at the top of that specific category.

Up nextCricket· 1h ago

Virat Kohli becomes India's highest run-scorer in ODIs against New Zealand