5 major records Virat Kohli can achieve in NZ vs IND ODI Series 2026

The India vs New Zealand ODI series will begin on November 4, with former India captain Virat Kohli set to return to action alongside Rohit Sharma. Fans are eagerly waiting to see the two senior batters back in action as India prepare for the three-match ODI series.

Kohli will be one of the key players to watch, as he has several major milestones within reach. The Indian batter has already achieved numerous records in ODI cricket and will now have an opportunity to add more milestones to his impressive career. Some of these records are also linked to legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar.

From becoming the leading century-maker in List A cricket to setting new records in ODI run-chases, Kohli has several achievements within reach. He could also complete a rare milestone across SENA countries during the series. In this article, we look at five major records Virat Kohli can achieve in the India vs New Zealand ODI series 2026.

5. Most 50-plus scores against SENA teams

Virat Kohli needs just one more fifty-plus score to become the batter with the most 50-plus scores against SENA teams in international cricket. Kohli is currently tied with Sachin Tendulkar, with both batters having scored 133 times against teams from South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia.

Kohli has registered 45 centuries and 88 half-centuries in 320 matches against these four countries. Tendulkar, meanwhile, finished his career with 50 centuries and 83 half-centuries in 328 matches. Both batters have the same total of 133 scores of 50 or more.

Another half-century or century against New Zealand would take Kohli past Tendulkar and give him the outright record. With the upcoming ODI series offering him more opportunities, Kohli will look to achieve this milestone and add another record to his impressive career.

4. First Player to score 2,000 runs against New Zealand in ODIs

Virat Kohli has a chance to become the first batter in ODI history to score 2,000 runs against New Zealand. He has scored 1,897 runs against the Black Caps in 36 innings and needs 103 more runs to reach this historic milestone.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting currently holds the record for the most ODI runs against New Zealand, with 1,971 runs in 50 innings. Kohli is closing in on this tally and will have an opportunity to go past him during the upcoming series.

With three ODIs against New Zealand, Kohli will look to add more runs to his tally and create history. Reaching the 2,000-run mark would make him the first player to achieve this milestone against the Black Caps in ODI cricket.

3. Leading run-scorer against New Zealand in international cricket

Virat Kohli has a chance to break Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most international runs against New Zealand. He has scored 3,167 runs against the Black Caps and needs another 179 runs to go past Tendulkar's tally.

Tendulkar currently leads the list with 3,345 international runs against New Zealand. Joe Root is second with 3,268 runs, followed by Kohli with 3,167 runs and former Australia captain Ricky Ponting with 3,145 runs.

Kohli will have an opportunity to close the gap during the upcoming India vs New Zealand ODI series. If he scores 179 more runs, he will surpass Tendulkar and become the leading run-scorer against New Zealand in international cricket.