Dubai: Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli has once again made history by becoming the fastest batter to reach the 14,000-run milestone in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) during the Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan on February 23, 2025. Kohli's achievement came during the group's match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where he breezed past the previous record held by none other than the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who took 350 innings to reach the same mark.
Kohli completed this remarkable feat by needing only 15 runs, which he scored with elegance, driving the ball for four runs through cover off Pakistan’s Haris Rauf. This momentous run brought him to exactly 14,000 ODIs, making him the third player overall to achieve this significant milestone, following Tendulkar, who holds the overall record with 18,426 runs, and Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara with 14,234 runs.
It is worth noting the importance of Kohli's achievement within the broader narrative of his career. Not only did he complete this milestone, but he also became the fastest player to cross each major 1,000-run milestone, which includes crossing 8,000 runs in just 175 innings and 13,000 runs recently during the Asia Cup against Pakistan, reinforcing his reputation as one of the all-time greats.
Reflecting on his career, Kohli has amassed impressive statistics: to date, he has scored 50 centuries and 73 half-centuries throughout his ODI career, demonstrating consistent performance and reliability as the India No. 3.
Speaking of competitive milestones, this match also saw Kohli surpass another record—he became the Indian fielder with the most catches, overtaking former captain Mohammad Azharuddin's record of 156 catches. Notably, Kohli's efforts on the field included taking catches to dismiss Pakistani players Khushdil Shah and Naseem Shah during this match.
The match against Pakistan saw India's opening bowlers perform admirably, wrapping up Pakistan's innings for just 241 runs. Pakistan’s innings featured solid contributions from Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan but struggled to establish dominance against the Indian bowlers. Kohli's remarkable performance came amid intense competition, bringing much-needed excitement and intensity to the Champions Trophy tournament.
The significance of Kohli’s performance cannot be overstated. His record-breaking runs continue to inspire both budding cricketers and fans across the globe, reinforcing his status as 'King Kohli.' Ever since making his international debut back in 2008 against Sri Lanka, he has consistently evolved as a player, setting new standards for excellence.
Kohli’s recent form, including phenomenal performances during the ICC World Cup 2023 where he claimed the title for most runs scored within the tournament, reinforces the idea of his status as one of the most formidable batsmen of this era.
Going forward, Kohli remains poised to reach additional career milestones, as he is on the verge of playing his 300th ODI match. This next game will mark him as the seventh Indian to achieve this notable appearance milestone.
With this historic achievement, fans and cricket enthusiasts worldwide are left marveling at the unparalleled talents of Virat Kohli and eagerly await his next performance on the field.