Indian batting icon Virat Kohli added another remarkable record to his illustrious career during the second ODI against New Zealand at Wellington’s Basic Reserve on Saturday, November 7.

Although Kohli managed just seven runs off seven deliveries in India’s chase of 135, he created history by surpassing Australian legend Ricky Ponting to become the highest run-scorer against New Zealand in ODI cricket.

Before the match, Kohli was tied with Ponting at 1,971 runs. The former India captain needed just one run to move past the Australian great and achieved the milestone by hitting a boundary off the second ball he faced. Kohli now has 1,978 runs against New Zealand in 38 ODI innings, while Ponting scored 1,971 runs in 50 innings across 51 matches.

Virat Kohli breaks Ricky Ponting’s long-standing record

Ponting had held the record for the most ODI runs against New Zealand for several years. However, Kohli has now moved ahead of the former Australia captain with a remarkable run-scoring record against the Black Caps.

The Indian superstar has maintained an impressive average of 56.51 against New Zealand in ODIs. His tally includes seven centuries and 11 half-centuries.
Ponting finished his ODI career against New Zealand with six centuries and 12 fifties at an average of 45.83. Kohli had equalled Ponting’s tally during the first ODI of the ongoing series before taking sole possession of the record in Wellington.

Most runs against New Zealand in ODI cricket

Player                            Runs

Virat Kohli (India)             1,978
Ricky Ponting (Australia)  1,971
Sachin Tendulkar (India)  1,750
Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)  1,568
Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)  1,519
Jacques Kallis (South Africa)  1,449

Kohli also holds record for most ODI centuries against New Zealand

The latest achievement adds to Kohli’s dominance against New Zealand in the 50-over format. The former India captain already holds the record for scoring the most ODI centuries against the Black Caps. He has registered seven hundreds, moving ahead of Ponting, who finished with six centuries.

Kohli also holds the record for the most international centuries against New Zealand across all three formats, with 10 hundreds to his name.

Kohli misses out on another milestone in Wellington

Despite breaking Ponting’s record, Kohli could not convert his start into a big innings in the second ODI. The right-handed batter began confidently with a boundary against Jacob Duffy but was dismissed soon afterwards while attempting another drive. Will Young completed the catch at cover-point as Kohli departed for seven runs off seven balls.

Kohli had produced an impressive performance in the series opener at Auckland, scoring 74 runs off 51 deliveries to help India secure a five-wicket victory. He will now have further opportunities in the remaining matches of the series to strengthen his position at the top of the all-time ODI run-scoring list against New Zealand.