Last Updated: January 11, 2026 04:08 PM
Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli has once again made history. In the first ODI match against New Zealand in Vadodara, Kohli set a record without even needing to score a single run.
The moment Virat’s name was included in Team India’s playing XI, he surpassed former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly.
Virat Kohli’s name has always been associated with major records in cricket. Usually, his records are achieved with the bat, but this time the story was different. Kohli achieved a special milestone without even stepping onto the field.
Virat sets a big record without batting
In this match, Indian captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bowl first. Virat Kohli was part of the match, and that’s what made it a historic moment for him.
This was Virat’s 309th ODI match, while Sourav Ganguly played 308 ODI matches for India.
With this, Virat Kohli has moved up to fifth place in the list of players who have played the most ODI matches for India.
The list is topped by Sachin Tendulkar, who played 463 ODI matches. MS Dhoni (347) is second, Rahul Dravid (340) is third, and Mohammad Azharuddin (334) is fourth.
Virat’s focus is now solely on ODIs
Virat Kohli now only plays for India in the ODI format. He retired from T20 cricket after winning the T20 World Cup in 2024. He then retired from Test cricket in May 2025.
Now, Virat’s complete focus and preparation are on the 2027 ODI World Cup to be held in South Africa. His experience and presence continue to be crucial for Team India in ODI cricket.
