The Indian maestro surpasses Australian legend Ricky Ponting; only Sachin Tendulkar stands ahead in the all-time list.
New Delhi / Vadodara, January 13, 2026 – In a moment of immense pride for Indian sports, Virat Kohli has officially become the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket. During the ongoing series, the 37-year-old batting icon surpassed the legendary Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who retired with 27,483 runs across all formats.
Kohli reached the milestone with a signature cover drive, drawing a standing ovation from the crowd and teammates alike. This achievement places him in an elite bracket, with only the “Master Blaster” Sachin Tendulkar (34,357 runs) now ahead of him. Kohli’s journey to this spot has been defined by unmatched consistency, averaging over 50 in all formats for the majority of his career. As the “King” continues to pile on the runs, the cricketing world watches in awe of his longevity and insatiable hunger for success.