King Kohli Surpasses Sangakkara: Virat Becomes 2nd Highest Run-Scorer in History

In the sweltering heat of Vadodara, amidst the deafening chants of “Kohli! Kohli!”, history was quietly rewritten on Sunday. It wasn’t a thunderous six or a frantic sprint that marked the moment, but the inevitable ticking over of a scoreboard that has documented one of the greatest careers in sporting history.

Virat Kohli, India’s run-machine and modern-day legend, has officially surpassed Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer in the history of international cricket.

During India’s high-stakes chase against New Zealand in the first ODI, Kohli crafted a masterful 93 off 91 balls, an innings that not only steered India to a 1-0 series lead but also vaulted him past Sangakkara’s tally of 28,016 runs. He now stands tall at 28,068 runs, with only one name left ahead of him: the Master Blaster himself, Sachin Tendulkar.

The Moment History Shifted

For years, the “Fab Four” debate dominated cricket, but Kohli has seemingly sprinted a lap ahead of his contemporaries. The Vadodara ODI was a perfect microcosm of his career—grit, calculated aggression, and an unwavering focus on the finish line.

Walking in at his customary number three position, Kohli looked in sublime touch from ball one. As he maneuvered the field, piercing gaps with surgical precision, the giant screen flashed the statistic that the cricketing world had been waiting for. With a trademark cover drive, he eclipsed Sangakkara, moving into the number two spot on the all-time list.

The All-Time International Run-Scoring Chart (Across All Formats):

Stats updated as of Jan 11, 2026.

“Grace and Gratitude”: Kohli Reflects on the Journey

Often painted as the aggressive, in-your-face warrior of Indian cricket, the 37-year-old Kohli cut a figure of Zen-like calm during the post-match presentation. Having received the Man of the Match award, he offered a rare, vulnerable glimpse into his mindset.

“If I look back at my whole journey, then it is nothing short of a dream-come-true for me,” Kohli said, soaking in the applause from the Vadodara crowd. “I have always known my abilities, but I also knew I had to work extremely hard to get where I am today.”

It is this work ethic that separates Kohli from the pack. While talent is a gift, Kohli’s fitness and discipline are choices he made every single day for nearly two decades.

“God has blessed me with far more than I could ever ask for. I look back at my journey with a lot of grace and gratitude, and I feel really proud of it,” he added.

The Innings: 93 Runs of Pure Masterclass

While the record is monumental, the context of the innings was equally vital. India was chasing a tricky target of 301 against a disciplined New Zealand attack. The pitch offered assistance to the spinners, and the pressure of a series opener was palpable.

Kohli’s 93 wasn’t about brute force; it was about “playing the situation.” He constructed partnerships, first stabilizing the ship after the early loss of Rohit Sharma, and then accelerating when the asking rate demanded it.

He missed out on what would have been his 54th ODI Century by a mere seven runs, holing out in the deep while trying to accelerate. However, for the man who has made scoring hundreds a habit, this milestone meant less than the ‘W’ in the results column.

“If I am being brutally honest, the way I’m playing right now, I’m not thinking about milestones at all,” Kohli revealed. “If we were batting first, I probably would’ve gone harder. But in a chase, with a total on the board, I had to play the situation. I felt like hitting more boundaries, but experience kicks in.”

This statement highlights the evolution of Kohli. The brash youngster who wanted to dominate every ball has evolved into the seasoned general who knows exactly which battles to fight to win the war.

The Twilight Era: An ODI Specialist

The context of this achievement is framed by the significant shift in Kohli’s career trajectory. Now 37 years old, Kohli—along with his longtime comrade Rohit Sharma (38)—has bid adieu to the rigors of Test cricket and the frenetic pace of T20Is.

This strategic retirement from the longer and shorter formats has allowed Kohli to channel all his remaining energy into the format he arguably mastered better than anyone else: One Day Internationals.

The decision seems to be paying dividends. He has registered five 60-plus scores in his last five innings, including two centuries. Free from the fatigue of a three-format calendar, Kohli looks fresher, hungrier, and more dangerous than he has in years.

This “ODI-only” version of Kohli has a singular focus: The 2027 ODI World Cup. Before that it’s turn for T20 world cup 2026, but without V Kohli. With the tournament on the horizon, every innings is a step towards that ultimate goal.

Can He Catch Sachin?

The question on everyone’s lips now is the inevitable one: Can he catch Sachin Tendulkar?

The gap stands at roughly 6,289 runs. With Kohli now playing only ODIs, bridging this gap would require a superhuman effort over the next few years. While Tendulkar played until he was 40, his tally was bolstered by Test runs until the very end.

However, if there is one lesson cricket fans have learned over the last 18 years, it is to never say “never” to Virat Kohli. Even if the total run tally remains out of reach, Kohli’s dominance in the ODI format is undisputed. He is not just chasing records; he is setting benchmarks for consistency that may never be touched again.

A Victory to Savor

Amidst the individual glory, it was a team victory. India chased down the 301-run target with four wickets and six balls to spare, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

While Kohli was the architect, the finishing touches were applied by the middle order, ensuring that the “King’s” effort didn’t go in vain. But as the fans streamed out of the stadium in Vadodara, the scorecard was secondary. They had witnessed a living legend climb one step higher on the staircase to immortality.

Virat Kohli is now the second-highest run-scorer in the history of the game. And judging by his form in Vadodara, he isn’t done yet.