King Kohli Climbs to Second: Surpasses Sangakkara in All-Time Runs

In a moment that defines cricketing greatness, Virat Kohli has become the second-highest run-getter in international cricket history. During the IND vs NZ 1st ODI in Vadodara, the former India captain surpassed Sri…

By Reetam Bodhak

January 12, 2026

2 min read

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In a moment that defines cricketing greatness, Virat Kohli has become the second-highest run-getter in international cricket history. During the IND vs NZ 1st ODI in Vadodara, the former India captain surpassed Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara to achieve this remarkable feat with 28,017 runs. Now, only the incomparable Sachin Tendulkar stands ahead of him.

King Kohli’s Record-Breaking Day

Kohli entered the match needing just 42 runs to overtake Sangakkara. The Delhi maestro wasted no time, reaching the milestone in the 19th over of India’s chase. According to BCCI’s official records, this achievement also made him the fastest to 28,000 international runs in just 624 innings—bettering Tendulkar (644 innings) and Sangakkara (666 innings).

All-Time International Run-Scorers

Rank	Player	Matches	Innings	Runs	Average
1	Sachin Tendulkar	664	782	34,357	48.52
2	Virat Kohli	556	624	28,017*	52.58
3	Kumar Sangakkara	594	666	28,016	46.77
4	Ricky Ponting	560	668	27,483	45.95
5	Mahela Jayawardene	652	725	25,957	39.15

The Chase for Tendulkar’s Throne

While Kohli now sits comfortably in second place, Tendulkar’s record of 34,357 runs remains 6,340 runs away. Having retired from Tests and T20Is, Kohli’s only opportunity comes in ODIs—a format not played frequently. Among active cricketers, no one is remotely close, with Joe Root at 22,166 runs and Steve Smith at 17,236 runs.

Kohli’s journey to this milestone reflects his remarkable consistency across formats. His batting records include 53 ODI centuries—already surpassing Tendulkar’s tally of 49. As the Indian cricket icon continues to don the blue jersey, fans eagerly anticipate every innings.

What Makes Kohli Special?

Beyond the numbers, Kohli’s hunger and fitness set him apart. With a superior average of 52.58 compared to Tendulkar’s 48.52, his run-scoring efficiency is unmatched. His ability to chase targets and dominate in pressure situations has made him the modern-day batting benchmark.

As India continues its ODI series against New Zealand, cricket fans worldwide celebrate this historic achievement—another chapter in the legendary career of King Kohli.