Virat Kohli Poised for Milestone Ahead of NZ ODI Series

New Delhi, November 2: Team India's star batter Virat Kohli continues to add records to his tally with almost every appearance, and he is now close to another historic achievement. The first ODI against New Zealand on Wednesday, November 4, offers him that chance.

Kohli has made 12,988 runs in 305 ODI innings at number three. Just 12 more runs in the first match against New Zealand would make him the world's first batter to score 13,000 runs from this position.

In second place is former Australian batter Ricky Ponting, who has 12,662 runs in 365 innings. The highest number of runs scored in ODIs from one batting position belongs to Sachin Tendulkar, with 15,310 runs as an opener.

Another record is also within Kohli's reach. If he hits a century in the New Zealand ODI series, he will overtake Sachin Tendulkar for the most centuries in List A cricket. Both have scored 60 such hundreds so far.

Kohli has a strong record against New Zealand in 50-over matches. He has scored 1,897 runs in 36 games at an average of 57, with 7 hundreds and 10 fifties. He is also known for an unbeaten 154 against the Kiwis.

In New Zealand, Kohli has played 11 ODIs and scored 514 runs at an average of 46. He has one century and four fifties on Kiwi soil.

India and New Zealand will play the first ODI on November 4, the second on November 7, and the third on November 10. The fourth match will take place on November 13, and the series finale is scheduled for November 15.