Virat Kohli has surpassed Sachin Tendulkar to become the fastest batter to score 15,000 runs in One-Day International cricket, reaching the landmark in just 303 innings.
Kohli needed 59 runs before the first ODI against West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday to enter the 15,000-run club. He reached the mark 74 innings quicker than Tendulkar, who achieved the milestone in 377 innings.
Tendulkar remains the leading run-scorer in ODI history with 18,426 runs, but Kohli now holds the record for reaching 15,000 ODI runs in the fewest innings.
Kohli marked the occasion with an unbeaten 139 as India chased down West Indies’ total of 295 for seven in 41.4 overs to win by eight wickets.
West Indies made a strong start after being asked to bat. Justin Greaves scored his maiden ODI century, making 101 from 108 balls with nine fours and four sixes. Opener John Campbell added 62, and the pair put on 135 runs for the first wicket in 19.2 overs.
However, India’s Kuldeep Yadav changed the course of the innings with a four-wicket haul. West Indies slipped from 176 for one to 198 for five before Amir Jangoo steadied the innings.
Jangoo remained unbeaten on 58 from 43 balls, helping West Indies finish on 295 for seven.
India’s chase was anchored by Kohli and Shubman Gill. After Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 74, Kohli and Gill added 151 runs for the second wicket. Gill scored 110 before being dismissed.
Kohli then completed the chase alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad, finishing unbeaten on 139 from 88 deliveries, including 10 fours and nine sixes.
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