Team India’s Virat Kohli has once again made history by becoming the fastest player to reach 27,000 runs in international cricket. The 35-year-old cricketer achieved this feat in his 535th match (594 innings), surpassing previous records who reached the same milestone in 623 innings back in 2007.
With this achievement, Kohli joins an elite group of only three other players who have crossed the 27,000-run mark in international cricket: Sachin Tendulkar (34,357 runs), Kumar Sangakkara (28,016 runs), and Ricky Ponting (27,483 runs).
Kohli’s record-breaking achievement is no surprise to his fans, given his remarkable consistency across all formats. After becoming the fastest batter to reach 25,000 international runs in February 2023, and the quickest to 26,000 runs in October 2023, Kohli continues to solidify his status as one of the greatest cricketers in history. His relentless performance and ability to dominate in all forms of the game have set him apart as a true legend in the sport.
Fastest to 27,000 International Runs:
594 innings – Virat Kohli*
623 innings – Sachin Tendulkar
648 innings – Kumar Sangakkara
650 innings – Ricky Ponting
Before the match, Virat Kohli had already amassed an impressive 8,871 Test runs in 114 matches, averaging 48.74. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), he tallied 13,906 runs in 295 games with a remarkable average of 58.18. Additionally, Kohli accumulated 4,188 runs in 125 T20 Internationals (T20Is) at an average of 48.69. Despite his impressive form, Kohli missed out on a well-deserved half-century as Shakib Al Hasan, possibly playing his final Test, took his wicket. Attempting an aggressive sweep, Kohli misjudged the delivery, which shattered his off-stump.
Most runs in international cricket:
- Sachin Tendulkar (India) – 34,357 runs in 782 innings
- Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 28,016 runs in 666 innings
- Ricky Ponting (Australia) – 27,483 runs in 668 innings
- Virat Kohli (India) – 27,012 runs in 594 innings*
- Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 25,957 runs in 725 innings
Kohli’s latest milestone showcases his unparalleled consistency across all formats—Test, ODIs, and T20Is—reinforcing his legacy as one of cricket’s all-time greats. His ability to maintain such a high level of performance over time underscores his longevity, skill, and place among cricketing legends.