After a brief but impactful stint with Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, marking his first domestic appearance in over a decade, battting superstar Virat Kohli is set to return to the international stage for the upcoming home series against New Zealand. The former Indian captain is currently riding a wave of sensational form, having effortlessly transitioned his dominant performances from the ODI series in South Africa back to the domestic circuit.
Virat Kohli on verge of busting Sachin Tendulkar's massive record
As one of the most prolific run-scorers in the history of the sport, Kohli has reached a career milestone where nearly every significant innings reshapes the record books. Heading into the first clash against the Black Caps, he finds himself on the verge of eclipsing a major milestone held by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. Remarkably, Kohli does not even need a massive individual score to rewrite history this time around.
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Currently sitting at a staggering 27,975 international runs, Kohli is a mere 25 runs away from the 28,000-run mark. If he achieves this feat against New Zealand, or even during the subsequent series against England in July, he will become the fastest player in history to reach the milestone. Having played only 623 innings compared to Tendulkar’s 644, Kohli is poised to set a new gold standard for efficiency and longevity in world cricket.
Breaking records previously held by Sachin Tendulkar has become a hallmark of Virat Kohli’s legendary career, particularly within the 50-over format. The most iconic of these moments occurred during the 2023 World Cup, when Kohli surpassed Tendulkar’s long-standing milestone of 49 ODI centuries. Entering the upcoming series against New Zealand, Kohli has pushed that tally even further to 53 hundreds, continuing to set a bar that few thought would ever be reached.
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Virat Kohli's red-hot form
While his rhythm in Test matches has faced challenges, Kohli has experienced a remarkable second wind in white-ball cricket over the last few years. His dominance was on full display throughout 2025, where he amassed 651 runs across 13 matches at a staggering average of 65.10. This impressive run, which included three centuries and four fifties, proves that the veteran batter has successfully recaptured the consistency that defined his prime. With his sights clearly set on a final glory run at the 2027 World Cup, Kohli views the New Zealand series as a vital stepping stone to maintain his momentum.