Kohli Hits 13,000 ODI Runs at No. 3
Virat Kohli became the first player to reach 13,000 ODI runs as a No. 3 batter during India's chase against New Zealand in Auckland.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Baseball
Virat Kohli became the first player to score 13,000 ODI runs as a No. 3 batter, reaching the milestone on the 13th ball of his innings. The milestone came during India's run chase of 186 runs against New Zealand in the first ODI at Eden Park in Auckland.
Why it matters
Kohli's total places him alone at the top of the all-time list for runs scored from the No. 3 position in one-day internationals, a category he now leads by a wide margin over the next-best player. The milestone highlights the long-standing importance of the No. 3 role in limited-overs cricket.
Kohli needed 12 runs to reach 13,000 as a No. 3 batter and got there on the 13th ball of his innings. He is one of only two players with more than 10,000 ODI runs from the No. 3 position, with Ricky Ponting second at 12,662 runs over 330 innings.
The players
Virat Kohli
Indian batter widely regarded as one of the most prolific run-scorers in the history of one-day international cricket.
Ricky Ponting
Former Australian captain and batter who previously held the record for most ODI runs scored as a No. 3 batter.
The details
Kohli reached the milestone during India's chase of 186 runs in the first ODI against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland. The match marked the opening game of the series between the two sides at the Auckland venue.
Timeline
November 4, 2026: Kohli becomes the first No. 3 batter to score 13,000 ODI runs during the first ODI against New Zealand.
Season Trajectory
Kohli's milestone extends a long-running rivalry in the record books between him and Ponting for the top spot among No. 3 run-scorers in one-day cricket. The result gives India a notable individual achievement early in its series against New Zealand.
The milestone sets a new reference point for No. 3 batting records that fans and fantasy players tracking cricket statistics will follow in future matches. Readers following the rest of the India-New Zealand series can track whether Kohli extends his lead on the all-time list.
The takeaway
Kohli's record shows how a single batting position can define a player's legacy across decades of limited-overs cricket. Following individual milestones like this one offers a clear view of how the game's statistical benchmarks evolve over time.
Further reading
Explore more on Baseball for broader context on batting records and the role of the No. 3 position in the sport.
