Virat Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record for the most runs scored in ODI chases during India’s five-wicket win over New Zealand in the opening match of the series at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday.
Kohli took his aggregate while batting second to 8,741 runs, moving past Tendulkar’s previous record of 8,720. He reached the mark in 169 innings across 180 matches, considerably quicker than Tendulkar, who made his tally in 232 innings from 242 matches.
The former India captain also has a superior record in terms of average and scoring rate in successful or attempted chases. Kohli averages 66.21 in this situation and has a strike rate of 95.03, compared with Tendulkar’s average of 42.33 and strike rate of 88.44.
Kohli’s chasing record includes 30 centuries and 46 fifties. Tendulkar finished with 17 hundreds and 52 half-centuries while batting second. Kohli is 37 years old.
Kohli anchors India’s revised chase
Kohli marked the record with a composed 74-run innings, striking at more than 145 as India pursued a revised target of 143 in 32 overs. Rain interrupted the Indian innings twice, but the experienced batter maintained control while other batters found it difficult to score freely.
India lost Rohit Sharma early in the chase, after which Kohli joined Shubman Gill to steady the innings. The pair added 113 runs for the second wicket, with Gill making 37 before Kohli took charge of the pursuit.
India eventually reached 143/5 in 22.4 overs to secure a five-wicket victory and take an early lead in the five-match series.
New Zealand bowled out for 185
Earlier, New Zealand were dismissed for 185 in 40.2 overs. India’s pace attack remained on top throughout the innings, with Arshdeep Singh taking four wickets, Gurnoor Brar claiming three and Anshul Kamboj securing two.
Tim Seifert top-scored for New Zealand with 38, while Glenn Phillips contributed 30. Blair Tickner provided late momentum by hitting 34 from 23 balls, including four sixes. The tally of maximums is jointly the most by a number 11 batter in ODI cricket history.
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