New Delhi: Virat Kohli is set to return in India colours when the national team faces New Zealand in the upcoming home series, and the former captain will have a historic milestone within touching distance as he resumes international duty.
Fresh from representing Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for the first time in over a decade, Kohli has carried forward the rich vein of form he displayed in the ODI series against South Africa. His performances in domestic cricket and recent internationals suggest that the 35-year-old remains firmly at the peak of his batting powers, especially in the one-day format.
Record within reach
Kohli’s current tally of international runs stands at 27,975, leaving him just 25 runs short of the landmark 28,000-run mark. If he achieves this feat in the New Zealand series, he will surpass legendary Sachin Tendulkar to become the fastest player in international cricket to reach the milestone.
Kohli has so far played 623 innings across formats in international cricket, while Tendulkar took 644 innings to reach 28,000 runs. Even if the milestone eludes him against New Zealand, the subsequent home series against England, scheduled in July, offers another opportunity for the modern great to rewrite the record books.
Consistency across eras
Widely regarded as one of the most prolific batters in the history of the game, Kohli is at a stage of his career where records fall with remarkable regularity. His longevity, combined with sustained excellence across formats, has ensured that statistical milestones are now routine companions to his big innings.
Breaking Tendulkar’s records is not new territory for Kohli. During the 2023 ODI World Cup, he famously overtook Tendulkar’s long-standing record of 49 ODI centuries. Kohli now has 53 centuries in the format as he heads into the New Zealand series, further underlining his dominance in one-day cricket.
ODI renaissance after Test retirement
While Kohli’s form in Test cricket showed signs of decline in the latter part of his red-ball career, his ODI numbers since 2023 tell a different story. After retiring from Test cricket, Kohli appeared rejuvenated in the 50-over format, finishing the 2025 calendar year with 651 runs from 13 matches.
He averaged an impressive 65.10 during the year, scoring three centuries and four half-centuries. Those numbers reaffirmed his status as India’s batting mainstay and silenced doubts about his ability to adapt and evolve in the latter stages of his career.
Selectors and team management have continued to back Kohli as a central figure in India’s ODI plans, particularly with an eye on the 2027 World Cup. His experience, temperament and hunger for runs remain invaluable assets in high-pressure tournaments.
Preparation through domestic cricket
Kohli’s decision to turn out for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was seen as a statement of intent. Playing domestic cricket after a gap of more than ten years, he looked comfortable and assured, seamlessly carrying his international form into the tournament.
Cricket analysts noted that the domestic outing not only helped Kohli sharpen his skills but also set an example for younger international players on the importance of staying connected with the domestic circuit.
Looking ahead to a packed schedule
The New Zealand series is just one part of a busy calendar for Kohli. After completing international commitments, he is set to return to T20 cricket with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2026 Indian Premier League. The franchise will once again look to Kohli as the cornerstone of their batting lineup.
Despite his packed schedule, Kohli has shown no signs of slowing down. With fitness levels that rival players much younger than him, and a renewed focus on limited-overs cricket, he remains one of the most influential figures in the sport.
Conclusion
As India prepares to take on New Zealand at home, all eyes will be on Virat Kohli and the history he could create with a single scoring shot. Whether the record falls in this series or the next, Kohli’s march past yet another Sachin Tendulkar milestone appears inevitable, reinforcing his place among the greatest cricketers the game has ever seen.