Virat Kohli Breaks Ricky Ponting's Massive ODI Record Despite Failure vs New Zealand In 2nd ODI

Virat Kohli surpassed Ricky Ponting to become the batter with the most runs against New Zealand in ODIs.© Getty

India batting icon Virat Kohli added yet another milestone to his name during the second ODI against New Zealand at Cello Basin Reserve in Wellington on Saturday. Despite managing just seven runs during India's chase of 135, Kohli surpassed former Australia captain Ricky Ponting to become the batter with the most runs against New Zealand in ODIs. Before the start of the match, Kohli was tied with Ponting on 1,971 runs. He struck a boundary off only the second ball he faced to move past the Australian great.

Ponting's runs came in 51 matches and 50 innings at an average of 45.83, with six centuries and 12 fifties. Kohli, meanwhile, took just 38 innings to go past Ponting's mark.

Nothing is more beautiful than cover drive of Virat Kohli What a shot mannn https://t.co/EU1V0CP502

— GOATED EDITS (@alivethoughdead) November 7, 2026

With three games remaining in the series after this, Kohli will have the chance to become the first player to score 2,000 or more runs against New Zealand in the 50-over format.

Most ODI runs vs New Zealand:

1,978 - Virat Kohli
1,971 - Ricky Ponting
1,750 - Sachin Tendulkar
1,568 - Kumar Sangakkara
1,519 - Sanath Jayasuriya
1,449 - Jacques Kallis

Kohli's stay at the crease was cut short by his RCB teammate Jacob Duffy, as he chipped a good-length ball straight to cover-point.

Virat Kohli departs for 7 off 7. #indvsnz #viratkholi https://t.co/exuainjeCY

— Siddhesh(@TheSiddheshView) November 7, 2026

In the series-opener, Kohli had become the first-ever player to reach the 13,000-run mark in ODIs while batting at No. 3.

Featured Video Of The Day

Spain's Royal Family Welcomes World Cup Champions To Zarzuela Palace