Virat Kohli has become India’s leading run-scorer in the 50-over format while playing away from home. The former Indian skipper surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to achieve the feat. Kohli achieved the feat in the 13th over of India's run chase with a shot off Lungi Ngidi for a single.
Before the first ODI at Boland Park, Paarl, the 33-year-old just needed nine runs to beat the ‘Master Blaster’. Tendulkar has 5,065 runs from 146 innings at an average of 37.24 including 12 centuries and 24 half-centuries.
In Kohli, on the other hand, has an average of over 58 in overseas conditions. The Delhi-born batter surpassed Tendulkar in his 106th innings away from home. He has scored 20 centuries and 23 half-centuries.
After Kohli’s monumental feat, Tendulkar is followed by MS Dhoni (4,520 runs), Rahul Dravid (3,998 runs) and Sourav Ganguly (3,468 runs) on this list.
On the overall list, Kohli is still behind Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara and Australia's Ricky Ponting. The Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter has 5,518 runs from 145 innings in the home of opposition at an average of 43.10 including 10 centuries and 35 half-centuries. Second on the list, former Australian skipper has 5,090 runs at an average of 45.04 including 10 centuries and 32 half-centuries.
This was Kohli's first appearance in the format since he was sacked as captain. Also, it is India's first ODI in over six months. The last time India toured South Africa under the leadership of Kohli, they created history by beating the hosts by 5-1 in the six-ODI series. Kohli batted at a stupendous average of 186 including three centuries and two half-centuries.
