38 years of pure passion, unmatched grit, and greatness. Happy Birthday to the King, Virat Kohli!
Some innings are about more than just the runs on the scoreboard. Virat Kohli’s 74 off 51 balls against New Zealand in the first ODI was exactly that kind of knock: positive, controlled and full of those crisp shots that make a chase look easier than it is. He struck 13 fours and a six, keeping India in command before falling just short of the finish.
The rain-affected match gave India a revised target of 143, and they got there with five wickets to spare. But Kohli’s innings had already made its mark in the record books. During his knock, he became the first batter in ODI history to reach 13,000 runs while batting at No. 3—a landmark he brought up in his 251st innings in that position.
He also moved past Sachin Tendulkar for the most runs scored in ODI chases, taking his tally to 8,741. That’s a remarkable achievement in a format where chasing demands patience, nerve and the ability to read the game as it unfolds.
Top 3 Greatest moments in Indian Cricket history
There was another notable milestone too: Kohli equalled Ricky Ponting’s mark for the most ODI runs against New Zealand. So, to be precise, he broke two records and equalled a third in the match.
38 years of pure passion, unmatched grit, and greatness 🫡
Happy Birthday to the King, Virat Kohli! 🐐❤️ https://t.co/3rJVEPwxAr
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 4, 2026
What stands out is not only the numbers, but the way he made the innings feel steady on a tricky day. He found the gaps, punished the loose deliveries and gave India the platform they needed in a shortened chase. The final push came from the rest of the batting order, but Kohli’s contribution set the tone.
Another milestone, another composed chase, and another reminder of why Kohli remains one of ODI cricket’s greats. India take a 1–0 lead in the series—and fans get yet another innings to remember.
Leave a Reply