Kohli Passes Tendulkar for Most ODI Runs in Run Chases With 8,741

Virat Kohli has become the highest run-scorer in ODI run chases. He now has 8,741 runs while chasing. That moves him past Sachin Tendulkar's 8,720, which had been the record for years. Kohli did it in the first ODI against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland, on Wednesday, November 4.

India were chasing a DLS target of 143 in 32 overs after rain. Kohli scored 74 off 51 balls, with 13 fours and a six. He added 113 for the second wicket with captain Shubman Gill. India won by 5 wickets with plenty of overs to spare.

The gap between the two men is small now, but it will grow. Kohli is 21 runs clear of Tendulkar. Tendulkar played 236 matches in chases and finished with an average of 42.33. Kohli's numbers are much stronger. He averages 66.21 in chases at a strike rate of 95.03. Tendulkar's strike rate in chases was 88.44.

The record had looked close for a while. Kohli crossed 8,000 runs in chases during the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final against Australia. He scored 84 in that game. Wasim Akram said at the time that Kohli would go past Tendulkar. He has now done it.

Chasing has always been Kohli's strength. He holds the record for the most ODI hundreds in successful chases. He had 25 of them in winning chases at last count. Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma have 14 each. Over 40 per cent of his ODI runs have come in chases that India went on to win.

Only a few batters have come anywhere near these numbers. Rohit Sharma is third on the all-time list with 6,115 runs. Sanath Jayasuriya has 5,742. Jacques Kallis has 5,575. Kohli and Tendulkar are far ahead of everyone else.

It was a good night for Kohli on several fronts. He also equalled Ricky Ponting's record for ODI runs against New Zealand. He became the first batter to average 50 or more in all four SENA countries, too.

India lead the five-match series 1-0. The second ODI is on Saturday, November 7, in Wellington. Kohli will look to extend his lead over Tendulkar in the chase list.