New Delhi: Virat Kohli added another remarkable achievement to his illustrious career by becoming the first cricketer in world cricket to score 13,000 runs while batting at number three in One Day Internationals.
The 37 year old achieved the historic milestone during India’s opening ODI against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland. Kohli needed just 12 runs before the match to reach the landmark and completed it with his 13th delivery, during the seventh over of India’s chase of 186 runs.
The achievement further strengthens Kohli’s position among the greatest batters in ODI history. He reached the 13,000 run mark in just 251 innings at an outstanding average of 61.55. His record at number three also includes 48 centuries and nearly 70 half centuries.
Kohli has now extended his lead over former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who occupies second place on the list with 12,662 runs from 330 innings at number three. The two remain the only batters in ODI history to have crossed the 10,000 run mark at this position.
Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara follows Ponting with 9,747 runs, while South Africa’s Jacques Kallis occupies fourth place with 7,774 runs. New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, Pakistan’s Babar Azam and England’s Joe Root complete the top seven.
Kohli has also enjoyed an impressive run in ODI cricket in 2026. Before the New Zealand series, he had accumulated 552 runs in nine innings at an average of 69.
His performances included two centuries and three half centuries, with his highest score being an unbeaten 139 off 88 deliveries against the West Indies.
The latest milestone adds another historic chapter to Kohli’s career and highlights his extraordinary consistency in the 50 over format.
