In early January 2026, cricket witnessed yet another historic milestone as Virat Kohli joined an elite club in the sport’s long and storied legacy: he became the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket history, passing former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara and placing only behind the legendary Sachin Tendulkar on the all-time list.
This achievement reflects years of consistent excellence across all formats of the game — Test, ODI, and T20I — and cements Kohli’s legacy as one of cricket’s all-time greats. In this SEO-centric article, we look in depth at how Kohli reached this historic milestone, the significance of his record, an overview of the top 5 run-scorers in international cricket history, and what this means for the modern era of cricket.
Virat Kohli’s Run to Number Two: A Historic Journey
Breaking Records Across Formats
Virat Kohli’s achievement in 2026 was recorded during India’s first One Day International (ODI) against New Zealand national cricket team in Vadodara. In that match, he scored the runs needed to surpass Kumar Sangakkara’s career total, thus earning the distinction of being the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket history.
According to data compiled by cricket statisticians, the top runs list now looks roughly like this (all formats combined):
- Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 34,357 runs
- Virat Kohli (India) – 28,017+ runs*
- Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 28,016 runs
- Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 27,483 runs
- Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 25,957 runs
(*As of January 2026, Kohli’s tally continues to grow.)
These numbers include combined runs from all international formats — Tests, ODIs, and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
Who Holds the Records? Top 5 in International Cricket History
Let’s break down the top 5 run-scorers in international cricket history — a blend of longevity, consistency, and sheer brilliance:
1. Sachin Tendulkar (34,357 runs)
Affectionately dubbed the “Master Blaster”, Sachin Tendulkar remains the benchmark for batting records in cricket. Playing from 1989 to 2013, Tendulkar amassed more runs than any player in the history of international cricket — a staggering 34,357 across formats. His longevity, technical mastery, and ability to handle pressure made him a global legend.
Beyond sheer volume, his record includes:
- 100 international centuries
- 164 fifties
- A batting average that hovered around elite levels for decades
It’s a record that many thought might stand forever — until Kohli’s relentless pursuit.
Also read – Pakistani Drones Spotted at LOC Jammu & Kashmir
2. Virat Kohli (28,017+ runs)
Kohli’s placement at number two is historic because he achieved it while still playing, underlining the remarkable durability of his talent. Known for his obsessive fitness, exceptional chase-mastery, and consistency across formats — particularly in ODIs — Kohli’s rise reshaped modern batting standards.
In ODIs alone, Kohli previously became the second-highest ODI run-scorer, surpassing Sangakkara and ranking just behind Tendulkar’s 18,426-run total.
Kohli’s success is built on:
- A strong Test batting foundation
- Exceptional ODI consistency
- Adapting to T20 cricket while maintaining high averages
- A career defined by hosting match-winning knock after knock
His batting technique combines classical timing with modern aggression — a rare blend that has struck fear into bowlers worldwide.
3. Kumar Sangakkara (28,016 runs)
Before Kohli’s ascent, Sangakkara was widely considered one of the most stylish and prolific run-scorers in cricket history. The Sri Lankan great combined grace with remarkable consistency, especially in the early 2000s and throughout his 15-year international career.
Sangakkara’s record includes:
- Gentle elegance at the crease
- A reliable presence in all formats
- A legacy as one of the game’s smartest run scorers
Even though he’s now third on the list, Sangakkara’s impact remains immense in cricketing circles.
4. Ricky Ponting (27,483 runs)
The Australian legend Ricky Ponting dominated world cricket in the late 1990s and early 2000s, captaining his team with confidence and swagger. Ponting’s batting wasn’t just about accumulating runs — it was about scoring under pressure.
He starred in:
- ODI World Cups (two titles as captain)
- Key Tests against top bowling attacks
- Repeated match-winning knocks
Ponting’s name also reflects the strength of Australian batting during its golden era.
5. Mahela Jayawardene (25,957 runs)
Jayawardene was Sangakkara’s Sri Lankan teammate and a batting tactician of the highest order. Known for his elegance and cerebral approach to batting, Jayawardene amassed nearly 26,000 runs in international cricket.
His legacy includes:
- Leadership roles in Sri Lankan cricket
- Consistency across formats
- An extraordinary Test double century against South Africa
What Makes Kohli’s Feat Different?
1. Era and Formats
Kohli’s era has presented unique challenges — a cricket calendar packed with Tests, ODIs, T20Is, franchise leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL), and continuous international tours. Maintaining world-class performance in this schedule is demanding, and yet Kohli’s consistency never waned.
2. Fitness and Adaptability
Kohli’s commitment to fitness is well documented. His transformation from a promising youngster to a batting powerhouse involved an emphasis on endurance, strength, and mental resilience that modern cricket demands.
3. Across Formats Dominance
Where many batters specialize in one format, Kohli excels in all three:
- Test cricket — where temperament matters most
- ODIs — where pacing an innings is crucial
- T20Is — where adaptability and power play roles
This versatility is critical to compiling such massive aggregate numbers.
Kohli’s Place in ODI and Test History
While his combined tally places him second all-time, Kohli also holds specific distinctions within individual formats:
In ODIs:
Before overtaking Sangakkara, Kohli was already one of the most prolific ODI run-scorers. His ODI totals include over 14,000 runs, ranking him second behind Tendulkar’s iconic 18,426.
In Tests:
Kohli’s Test batting has been equally admirable, with significant contributions that keep him among the leading run-getters of his era. While exact all-time positioning in Tests varies with time, his consistency in the longest format is undeniable.
Why This Milestone Matters
Cricket isn’t just a sport; it is a cultural phenomenon in many parts of the world. Achieving second-highest international runs in cricket history goes beyond personal achievement — it cements a player’s legacy among the game’s all-time greats.
Legacy Comparison
While comparisons with legends like Sachin Tendulkar are inevitable, Kohli’s achievement stands on its own:
- Tendulkar set a standard that once seemed untouchable
- Kohli has matched — and in some formats surpassed — many greats
This moment doesn’t diminish Tendulkar’s place; it reshapes how modern greatness is defined.
The Future of the Record
As of January 2026, Kohli’s run tally continues growing. The chase for the most runs in cricket history isn’t over — and with Kohli still active at the highest level, the possibility of him challenging Sachin’s record further remains alive.
Cricket fans around the world will watch whether Kohli can close the gap on Tendulkar’s iconic 34,357 runs — a journey that could define the final chapters of his extraordinary career.
Conclusion: A Modern Cricket Legend
Virat Kohli’s ascent to becoming the second-highest run-getter in international cricket history is more than a statistical milestone — it’s a testament to longevity, skill, adaptation, and unmatched focus. In an age of fast cricket, rotating formats, and player workload challenges, Kohli has found a rhythm that places him second only to the Master Blaster himself.
For fans of cricket around the world, this is a reminder that records aren’t just numbers — they are stories of resilience, passion, and enduring excellence.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL THE LOGIC STICK FOR MORE VIDEO INSIGHTS