Photo via India Today

Virat Kohli eyes Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting's records in New Zealand ODI series

As India prepares for a five-match ODI series against New Zealand beginning on November 4, veteran batsman Virat Kohli is poised to capture two major historical marks. The former captain currently sits third on the all-time list for international runs against the Black Caps with 3,167 across 60 matches, trailing Sachin Tendulkar by 178 runs.

In the fifty-over format alone, Kohli has compiled 1,897 runs from 36 games and needs 74 more to overtake Ricky Ponting atop the specific ODI run-scoring ladder against this opponent. Additionally, he requires 103 runs to become the first player to reach the 2,000-run threshold in ODIs against New Zealand.

Kohli enters this upcoming tour carrying strong momentum from his 2026 campaign, during which he has tallied 552 runs in nine ODI innings at a remarkable average of 69. His highlights this year include two centuries and three half-centuries, capped by a brilliant, unbeaten 139 off 88 deliveries against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram.

He also performed well in an earlier home series against New Zealand, contributing scores of 93, 23, and a match-shaping 124 in Indore.

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