DUBAI, Feb 23: Indian cricket sensation Virat Kohli made headlines on Sunday by becoming the fastest player to reach 14,000 runs in One-Day Internationals. He achieved this remarkable feat, breaking the record once held by the iconic Sachin Tendulkar, during a Champions Trophy match against Pakistan.
Kohli is now just the third player in ODI history to accumulate 14,000 runs, joining the ranks of Tendulkar (18,246 runs) and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara (14,234 runs).
Completing this milestone in only 287 innings, Kohli not only set a new record but also outpaced Tendulkar, who reached 14,000 runs in 350 innings, while Sangakkara needed 378 innings.
Interestingly, both Kohli and Tendulkar achieved their 14,000th ODI run against Pakistan.
On Sunday, Kohli required just 15 runs to reach this target, which he secured with a boundary through the covers off bowler Haris Rauf in the 13th over.
The 36-year-old cricketing great previously became the fastest player to reach 13,000 runs as well, achieving that milestone in September 2023 against Pakistan during the Asia Cup in Colombo.
Kohli also holds the record for the most centuries in ODIs, with 50 to his name, surpassing Tendulkar’s record during the 2023 World Cup semifinal against New Zealand in Mumbai.
In the match against Pakistan, Kohli surpassed former captain Mohammad Azharuddin’s record for the most catches by an Indian fielder. He took his 157th catch in his 299th ODI, while Azharuddin had 156 catches in his 334 ODIs from 1985 to 2000.
His remarkable fielding included a stunning forward diving catch to dismiss Naseem Shah off Kuldeep Yadav and a second catch at deep midwicket to remove Khushdil Shah off Harshit Rana, bringing his total to 158 catches.
