Virat Kohli added another milestone to his illustrious career on Wednesday, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar to become the highest run-scorer in One-Day International (ODI) history while chasing, during India's opening match against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland.
The former India captain achieved the feat with an aggressive 74 off 51 deliveries, including 13 boundaries and a six, as India registered a five-wicket victory in the rain-affected encounter to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Kohli's innings took his tally in ODI run chases to 8,741 runs in 169 innings across 180 matches, surpassing Tendulkar's previous record of 8,720 runs.
The 37-year-old has accumulated his runs at an average of 66.21 and a strike rate of 95.03, with 30 centuries and 46 half-centuries while batting second.
Tendulkar, meanwhile, scored 8,720 runs in ODI chases at an average of 42.33, including 17 centuries and 52 half-centuries.
๐๐ผ๐ต๐น๐ถ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐
Kohli's record in successful ODI run chases further underlines his consistency in guiding India towards victories.
In matches India have won while batting second, the veteran batter has amassed 6,477 runs in 108 innings across 114 matches at an average of 89.95 and a strike rate exceeding 98.
His performances in successful chases include 25 centuries and 30 half-centuries, with a highest individual score of 183.
Kohli's latest achievement strengthens his position at the top of the all-time list of ODI run-scorers while chasing.
Rohit Sharma occupies third place with 6,801 runs, followed by Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya with 5,742 and South Africa's Jacques Kallis with 5,575.
The record also highlights the difference in the number of innings taken by Kohli and Tendulkar to accumulate their respective totals, with Kohli achieving the milestone in significantly fewer appearances.
๐๐พ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด'๐ ๐ก๐ฒ๐ ๐ญ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ
Kohli also equalled former Australia captain Ricky Ponting's record for the most runs scored against New Zealand in ODI cricket.
The Indian batter now has 1,971 runs against the Black Caps in 37 innings, averaging 57.97 at a strike rate of 97.86.
His record against New Zealand includes seven centuries and 11 half-centuries.
Ponting accumulated an identical 1,971 runs in 50 innings across 51 matches against New Zealand, averaging 45.83 with six centuries and 12 half-centuries.
With four matches remaining in the series, Kohli will have an opportunity to move past Ponting and establish a new record.
๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ญ๐ฏ,๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ฟ๐๐ป๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก๐ผ. ๐ฏ
Another landmark came as Kohli became the first batter in ODI history to cross 13,000 runs while batting at number three.
Across 251 innings in that position, he has scored 13,062 runs at an average of 61.61, including 48 centuries and 70 half-centuries.
His highest ODI score at number three remains 183, an innings he produced against Pakistan during the 2012 Asia Cup.
The latest milestones come a day before Kohli's 38th birthday on November 5, adding further significance to his performance in Auckland.
๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฎ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐น ๐ณ๐ถ๐๐ฒ-๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ถ๐ป
Earlier, India's bowling attack produced a disciplined performance to dismiss New Zealand for 185 in 40.2 overs.
Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh led the attack with four wickets for 70 runs, while Gurnoor Brar claimed three wickets for 44 runs in 9.2 overs.
Anshul Kamboj also impressed, returning figures of two wickets for 22 runs from his 10 overs.
Tim Seifert top-scored for New Zealand with 38, while Glenn Phillips contributed 30. Blair Tickner struck a brisk 34 off 23 deliveries to help the hosts reach 185.
Rain interruptions resulted in India's target being revised to 143 runs in 32 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.
Kohli took charge of the chase, sharing a 113-run second-wicket partnership with captain Shubman Gill, who contributed 37.
The former captain reached his 80th ODI half-century and maintained an aggressive scoring rate throughout his innings, striking at 145.10.
Although India lost wickets towards the end of the chase, the visitors reached 143 for five in 22.4 overs to secure a comfortable victory.
Kamboj was named Player of the Match for his economical bowling performance.
The victory handed India an early advantage in the five-match series, with the second ODI scheduled to be played in Wellington on Saturday.