Virat Kohli creates new record during NZ vs IND 1st ODI in Auckland

During the opening ODI of the five-match series between India and New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland, Virat Kohli created a new record as he overtook his idol Sachin Tendulkar with the most runs in chasing of the 50-over formats. He takes his average to more than 65 in this aspect. 

Virat Kohli has overall smashed 15109 runs in 305 innings of the 50-over format at an average of 58.78 and a blistering strike rate of 94.36, thanks to his 55 centuries and 79 half-centuries, with a best score of 183 runs against Pakistan during the Asia Cup 2012.

Virat Kohli’s new record in Auckland: What the milestone is and why it matters

Kohli smacked a fine knock of 74 runs in 51 balls at a strike rate of 145.10, shouldering on 13 boundaries and one six during the first ODI of the series in Auckland as he looked in a superb form and sharp in the middle, charging against all the bowlers in the middle.

With this knock, the right-handed batter has broken the record for the most runs in run chases during ODIs. He has thumped 8741 runs in 169 innings at an average of 66.21 and a firing strike rate of 95.03, with the help of 30 centuries and 46 fifties at the best score of 183 runs.

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Kohli sits at the top with these runs in the second innings, having snatched the record from Sachin Tendulkar, who notched up 8720 runs in 232 innings at an average of 42.33 and a strike rate of 88.44 with 17 centuries and 52 fifties at the best score of 175 runs.

How Virat Kohli batted in the 1st ODI vs New Zealand: Key moments of his innings

Kohli arrived at the crease during the second over of the innings in the 186-run chase. He smashed his first boundary of the innings against Kyle Jamieson before thumping Jacob Duffy through the square leg region. His first six of the evening came against Blair Tickner when he pulled the pacer over the mid-wicket region for a fine six.

With a boundary into the deep mid-wicket region, Kohli celebrated his 80th half-century of the format. He was playing with full authority in the innings before finding the fielder with a sweet shot and went back to the hut for 74 runs off 51 balls.

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India completed the chase of 186 runs by five wickets with nearly 10 overs to spare in the rain-curtailed 32-over clash. Arshdeep Singh picked up 4/70 in 10 overs, while Anshul Kamboj earned the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his 2/22 in 10 overs.