India’s Virat Kohli crossed 15,000 one-day international runs on Sunday, becoming only the second batter after cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar to reach the milestone.
The 37-year-old achieved the feat with a boundary in the opening ODI against the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram, reaching the landmark in his 303rd innings — 74 innings quicker than Tendulkar, who needed 377 innings to get to 15,000.
A Record of Unmatched Pace
Kohli’s speed to the milestone underscores a career defined by remarkable consistency in the 50-over format. Tendulkar, who finished his illustrious career with 18,426 runs in 463 matches, remains the only batter ahead of Kohli on the all-time ODI run-scoring list.
Retired Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara sits third with 14,234 runs in 404 matches.
Most Runs in ODI Career
- Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 18,426 runs in 463 matches
- Virat Kohli (India) – 15,016 runs in 315 matches
- Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 14,234 runs in 404 matches
- Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 13,704 runs in 375 matches
- Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) – 13,430 runs in 445 matches
Eyes on the 2027 World Cup
Kohli, who now plays only the 50-over format after retiring from Test and T20 international cricket, told broadcasters JioStar on Saturday that the 2027 World Cup would be his final appearance in the showpiece tournament.
He was part of the India side that won the 2011 World Cup under Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Kohli and Rohit Sharma, 39, retired from T20 internationals after India won the 2024 T20 World Cup, a year after losing to Australia in the final of the ODI World Cup on home soil.
