Kohli Equals Ponting's 1,971 ODI Runs vs New Zealand and Becomes First to Average 50+ in All SENA Countries
Virat Kohli added two more records to his ODI career in the first ODI against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday, November 4. He scored 74 off 51 balls as India won by 5 wickets in a rain-shortened chase of 143.
The first record is a rare one. Kohli is now the first ODI batter to average 50 or more in all four SENA countries. These are South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia. They are seen as the toughest places for batters from Asia.
New Zealand was the last gap. Before this series, Kohli averaged 49.66 in New Zealand, with 596 runs in 13 innings. That left him just short of the mark. His 74 took the tally to 670 runs. By our calculation, his average in New Zealand is now about 51.5. He was already above 50 in the other three countries. In England his average was 51.88, and in Australia it was 50.03, as of late 2025.
The second record is against the same opponent. Kohli has now equalled Ricky Ponting's tally of 1,971 ODI runs against New Zealand. Ponting has held the record for years. He scored his runs in 51 matches at an average of 45.83, with six centuries and 12 fifties.
Kohli got there much faster. Ponting needed 50 innings. Kohli has taken only about 37. He passed Sachin Tendulkar's 1,750 runs against New Zealand in January, when he became India's top scorer against them in the format. He is now level with the overall leader.
The next ODI will break the tie. Kohli only needs one more run to go ahead of Ponting. He will then become the highest run-scorer against New Zealand in ODI history.
There is another number to watch. New Zealand could become only the fourth team to concede 2,000 ODI runs to Kohli. West Indies, Australia and Sri Lanka are the others. He is just 29 runs away.
His innings in Auckland was full of fluent strokes. He hit 13 fours and a six and added 113 for the second wicket with captain Shubman Gill. India lead the five-match series 1-0. The second ODI is on Saturday, November 7, in Wellington.