Virat Kohli adds another record to his name, becomes first batter to score 13,000 ODI runs at no. 3

Virat Kohli added another remarkable milestone to his illustrious career during the first ODI against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland. The Indian batting star became the first player in cricket history to score 13,000 runs while batting at the No. 3 position in ODIs. Kohli needed just 12 runs to reach the landmark and achieved it off the 13th delivery of his innings during India's chase of 186. The 37-year-old reached the milestone in just 251 innings, maintaining an outstanding average of 61.55.

Kohli now holds the top spot in the list of highest run-scorers at No. 3 in ODI cricket, with former Australia captain Ricky Ponting occupying the second position with 12,662 runs in 330 innings. Kumar Sangakkara follows with 9,747 runs.

Most Runs at No. 3 in ODI Cricket

Virat Kohli: 13,000 runs at an average of 61.55*

Ricky Ponting: 12,662 runs at an average of 42.48

Kumar Sangakkara: 9,747 runs at an average of 44.71

Jacques Kallis: 7,774 runs at an average of 45.72

Kane Williamson: 6,504 runs at an average of 51.61

Babar Azam: 6,054 runs at an average of 55.54

Joe Root: 5,525 runs at an average of 53.12

Kohli's consistency at No. 3 has been remarkable, with 48 centuries and nearly 70 half-centuries to his name at the position. He remains the only batter to cross 13,000 runs at this batting position, while Ponting is the only other player to surpass the 10,000-run mark. The milestone adds to Kohli's impressive ODI form in 2026. Before the New Zealand series, he had accumulated 552 runs in nine innings at an average of 69, including two centuries and three half-centuries. His performances have once again highlighted his importance to India's batting lineup.