Virat Kohli has added another extraordinary milestone to his ODI career, becoming only the second batter in men’s cricket history to cross 15,000 runs in the format.
Kohli reached the landmark during India’s chase against West Indies in the first ODI in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. He came into the innings needing 59 runs and reached the mark while continuing to anchor India’s pursuit of 296.
The milestone also saw Kohli break one of Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing ODI records. Kohli reached 15,000 runs in his 303rd ODI innings, becoming the fastest batter to the landmark. Tendulkar had needed 377 innings, meaning Kohli got there 74 innings quicker than his former India teammate.
Tendulkar remains the leading run-scorer in ODI history with 18,426 runs, but Kohli has now joined him as the only other men’s batter to cross 15,000.
The achievement adds another chapter to a career that has been defined by consistency in the 50-over format. Since making his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in 2008, Kohli has accumulated runs at a remarkable rate while repeatedly rewriting the record books.
His record against West Indies has also been particularly strong. Kohli entered the series with more than 2,200 ODI runs against them and nine centuries, making them one of his most productive opponents.
The first ODI provided another opportunity for him to add to that record. West Indies posted 295 for seven after Justin Greaves anchored their innings, while Kuldeep Yadav claimed four wickets for India.
Kohli then took centre stage during the chase.
The 15,000-run milestone came in a venue where he has previously enjoyed success, adding another memorable moment to his ODI career. More importantly, the speed at which he has reached the figure further separates his career from the milestones of previous generations.
Kohli has now crossed a mark that only Tendulkar had reached before him, while doing so 74 innings faster than the man who remains the format’s highest run-scorer. With 15,000 ODI runs now added to his already remarkable list of milestones, Kohli has further strengthened his place among the defining batters in the history of the format.
