ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023: Virat Kohli Becomes Fastest To Complete 26000 International Runs

During the 17th match at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, dominant India beat Bangladesh by seven wickets, where Indian cricketer Virat Kohli completed his 48th ODI century. The right-handed batter also completed 26000 international runs as he became the fastest to complete 26000 international runs.

Pune hosted that day/night CWC encounter, where Bangladesh stand-in captain Najmul Hossain Shanto chose to bat first after winning the toss. Despite their record World Cup opening partnership of 93 runs, Bangladesh were restricted to 256/8 in 50 overs.

Virat Kohli recorded his 48th ODI century and 78th international century

India comfortably chased down the 257 runs target in 41.3 overs after losing three wickets. While the opener and skipper Rohit Sharma scored 48 runs, his opening partner Shubman Gill scored 53 runs. Virat Kohli scored 103 not out in 97 balls with the help of six fours and four sixes. It was a tense finish as Kohli’s century was at stake. However, with a sixer, Kohli finished the game with another memorable century.

It was Kohli’s 48th ODI century as well as his 78th international hundred. While the second-most international centurion has moved one step closer to legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s 100 international centuries, the second-most ODI centurion Kohli is only one hundred away from touching Tendulkar’s 49 ODI hundreds record.

Also Read | Fastest To Complete 13000 ODI Runs

Virat Kohli: Fastest to complete 26000 international runs

Meanwhile, before his 48th ODI century, Kohli completed another international cricket milestone with ease. The right-handed batter completed 26000 international runs in his 567th international innings. At the end of that innings, he scored 26026 international runs in 567 innings. Here are some key stats of Kohli’s 26000 international runs milestone achievement.

• After Sachin Tendulkar, Kohli became the second Indian to complete 26000 international runs.

• Kohli became the fourth batter to score at least 26000 runs in international cricket.

• Kohli became the fastest to complete 26000 international runs. To achieve this record, Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s previous record who had completed 26000 international runs in 600 innings. 

Fastest 26000 international runs

(Updated until October 19, 2023)

Must Read | Best ODI knocks by Virat Kohli