On October 25, 2025, at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Virat Kohli didn’t just play a match—he rewrote history. With a composed 70 off 89 balls in the third ODI against Australia, Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s 17-year-old record for most fifty-plus scores in successful ODI run chases: 70 to 69. It was the kind of innings that turns doubters into believers. Just two games earlier, Kohli had been dismissed for consecutive ducks in Perth and Adelaide—his favorite ground Down Under—leaving fans anxious, pundits critical. But here, under the lights of Moore Park, he answered every question with his bat.
From Silence to Roar: Kohli’s Redemption Arc
The pressure was thick. After two failures, Kohli walked out to the crease with India reeling at 28/2, chasing 298. Captain Rohit Sharma was gone early. The crowd, thick with Australian flags, expected another collapse. Instead, Kohli took a deep breath, tapped his bat twice, and began. His first run—a single to mid-wicket—was met with a fist pump. No celebration. Just focus. That moment, captured in slow motion by NDTV’s cameras, said everything: this wasn’t about stats. It was about legacy.
He didn’t just reach 50. He made it count. By the time he fell in the 42nd over, India were 217/4, and the chase was firmly in control. His 70 came at a strike rate of 78.65, anchored by precise placement and ruthless use of the off-side. He didn’t hit a single six. No flashy pull. Just control. The kind of innings that reminds you why he’s called the King of Chases.
A New Rank on the All-Time List
While breaking Tendulkar’s chase record made headlines, Kohli quietly slipped past Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer in ODI history. With 14,235 runs in 293 innings, he now trails only Tendulkar’s monumental 18,426 runs in 452 matches. Sangakkara, who spent 380 innings to reach 14,234, now sits third. The top five? Tendulkar, Kohli, Sangakkara, Ricky Ponting (13,704), and Sanath Jayasuriya (13,430). The gap between Kohli and Ponting? Over 500 runs. The gap between Kohli and Tendulkar? A staggering 4,191 runs.
But here’s the twist: Kohli’s pace of scoring makes the gap feel less impossible. In 26 ODI chases in Australia, Tendulkar averaged 34.45. Kohli, in just 18 such innings, has averaged 51.06. His strike rate? 92.31 to Tendulkar’s 81.55. He’s not just matching records—he’s redefining how chases are played.
More Than ODI: The Limited-Overs Crown
That night in Sydney, Kohli didn’t just break one record—he claimed another. With his 70, he surpassed Tendulkar’s combined tally of 18,436 runs in ODIs and T20Is to become the highest run-scorer in limited-overs cricket worldwide. His total? 18,437. The moment was confirmed by circleofcricket on Instagram, sparking a wave of memes and tributes. For the first time since 2002, someone else stood atop the mountain of limited-overs runs. Tendulkar, watching from Mumbai, reportedly sent a private message: “Well played, son.”
But here’s the sobering reality: breaking Tendulkar’s ODI record outright? That’s a different beast. According to MensXP’s analysis, Kohli would need to average 104.3 over his next 40 innings to catch up. At his current average of 57.71, he’d need 70+ innings. Even if he averages 65 over the next 40, he’d still be 1,500 runs short. The record may never fall. But that’s not the point anymore.
What the Experts Said
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan had warned before the match: “Focus on strike rotation. There’s no looking back once he starts doing it well.” Pathan, speaking on JioStar, emphasized that Kohli’s form wasn’t just personal—it was pivotal for India’s chances in the series. “If Virat’s in, India’s in,” he said. And he was right. Kohli’s 70 turned a tight contest into a 6-wicket win, denying Australia a series whitewash.
Even Australia’s skipper, Pat Cummins, acknowledged it post-match: “You don’t get better than that under pressure. He’s a once-in-a-generation player.”
The Ground, The Crowd, The Moment
The Sydney Cricket Ground, with its 48,000 seats packed under the night sky, was electric. For once, the crowd didn’t boo. They stood. They clapped. Even the Australians. Because when greatness walks in, even rivals know when to honor it.
This wasn’t just a record. It was a statement. After two failures, Kohli didn’t just bounce back—he soared. He didn’t need to silence critics. He just had to play. And when he did, the world listened.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Kohli’s 70 in Sydney compare to Tendulkar’s best chase in Australia?
Tendulkar’s best chase in Australia was an unbeaten 117 off 120 balls in Sydney in March 2008 during the Commonwealth Bank Series semifinal. Kohli’s 70 in 2025 was more efficient: a strike rate of 78.65 compared to Tendulkar’s 97.5 at the time, and it came in a higher-pressure chase (298 vs 284). Kohli also reached 50+ scores in chases in fewer innings (51 vs Tendulkar’s 70).
Why is Kohli’s record in ODI chases more impressive than Tendulkar’s?
Kohli’s 70 fifty-plus scores in successful chases came in just 305 ODIs, while Tendulkar took 452 innings to reach 69. Kohli’s average in chases is 64.2, compared to Tendulkar’s 51.8. He also has three centuries in Australia chases versus Tendulkar’s one. Modern bowling attacks, faster pitches, and powerplay restrictions make Kohli’s consistency even more remarkable.
Can Virat Kohli ever break Sachin Tendulkar’s overall ODI runs record?
Statistically, it’s extremely unlikely. Kohli needs 4,191 more runs to catch Tendulkar. At his current ODI average of 57.71, he’d need 73 more innings—nearly three full years of consistent play. With his age (36) and India’s rotating lineup, he may play only 20–30 more ODIs. Even a 65+ average over that span would leave him about 1,500 runs short.
Who holds the record for most 50+ scores in ODI chases before Kohli?
Sachin Tendulkar held the record with 69 fifty-plus scores in successful ODI run chases since 2008. Kohli matched it in the second ODI of the 2025 Australia series and broke it with his 70th in Sydney. No other player is close—Ricky Ponting has 56, and Hashim Amla has 53.
How did Kohli’s performance affect India’s chances in the 2025 series?
India was facing a 2-0 series deficit after losses in Perth and Adelaide. Kohli’s 70 helped India win the third ODI by six wickets, avoiding a whitewash. His form also lifted the team’s morale ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. Without this innings, India’s batting confidence might have crumbled under pressure.
Is Kohli now the greatest ODI batsman of all time?
That’s debated. Tendulkar’s longevity and total runs remain unmatched. But Kohli’s efficiency, consistency under pressure, and dominance in chases make him the most complete modern ODI batsman. He holds records in run rate, average in chases, and conversion rate of 50s to 100s. Many now call him the “Chase King,” while Tendulkar remains the “Master.”