Virat Kohli surpasses Sachin, fastest to 28,000 international runs

India – (Special Correspondent / Web Desk) – India’s cricket superstar Virat Kohli added another remarkable milestone to his legendary career on Sunday, becoming the fastest player to score 28,000 international runs during the ODI series opener against New Zealand. In achieving this, he broke the long-standing record previously held by Sachin Tendulkar.

🗣️ If I look back at my whole journey, it’s nothing short of a dream come true. ✨

🎥 Virat Kohli reflects on his incredible career after becoming the 2⃣nd highest run-getter in men’s international cricket🙌👏#TeamIndia | #INDvNZ | @imVkohli | @idfcfirstbank pic.twitter.com/87BgcZlx4b

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 11, 2026

Kohli reached the feat in just 624 innings, surpassing Tendulkar’s 644 innings and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara’s 666 innings. Along the way, he also overtook Sangakkara’s total of 28,016 runs, leaving him second only to Tendulkar’s all-time tally of 34,357 international runs.

Before the match, Kohli needed just 25 runs to reach the landmark. He did so in style, hitting a boundary in the 12th over and later surpassing Sangakkara’s record with a single off Michael Bracewell on the final ball of the 18th over.

Fastest to 28,000 international runs

• Virat Kohli – 624 innings
• Sachin Tendulkar – 644 innings
• Kumar Sangakkara – 666 innings

Put into bat first, New Zealand posted a competitive 300-8 in their 50 overs, with Daryll Mitchell top-scoring with 84.

India’s reply began steadily, with Rohit Sharma and returning Shubman Gill putting on a 39-run opening partnership.

After Rohit fell for 26, Kohli anchored the innings, forming a 118-run partnership with Gill.

Gill contributed 56 off 71 balls, while Kohli dominated proceedings until the first ball of the 39th over, when he was caught for 93 off 91 balls, striking eight fours and a six.

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India eventually sealed a thrilling four-wicket victory over the Black Caps in the final over, with KL Rahul remaining unbeaten on 29.