### Virat Kohli on the Verge of Cricketing History: Aiming to Surpass Legends Virat Kohli is poised to make history in the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand, particularly in the second ODI scheduled for January 13, 2026. Kohli's remarkable performance in the first ODI has set the stage for him to potentially become the first Indian batter to achieve a significant milestone that has eluded others. As he continues to break records, Kohli's journey is marked by his recent accomplishments, including surpassing Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket, trailing only behind the legendary Sachin Tendulkar [https://www.livemint.com/sports/cricket-news/ind-vs-nz-2nd-odi-can-virat-kohli-surpass-sachin-tendulkar-rohit-sharma-he-may-become-1st-indian-batter-to-11768278904132.html]. ### Structure of Kohli's Historic Journey 1. **Recent Achievements**: - Kohli became the fastest player to reach 28,000 international runs, breaking Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing record [https://www.geo.tv/latest/644562-virat-kohli-achieves-28000-international-runs-surpassing-sachin-tendulkar]. - He surpassed Kumar Sangakkara to become the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket [https://www.easterneye.biz/kohli-overtakes-sangakkara-second-all-time-runs]. 2. **Performance in the First ODI**: - Kohli scored 93 runs, leading India to a four-wicket victory against New Zealand [https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/virat-kohli-becomes-fastest-player-to-reach-to-28000-runs-across-formats/article70500081.ece]. - His innings included crucial partnerships that helped India chase down a target of 301 runs [https://www.bhaskarenglish.in/sports/cricket/news/bcci-honoured-virat-kohli-rohit-sharma-in-kotambi-stadium-baroda-india-new-zealand-first-odi-top-moments-records-136923532.html]. 3. **Upcoming Challenges**: - In the second ODI, Kohli aims to surpass another record, potentially becoming the first Indian batter to achieve a specific milestone that would further cement his legacy [https://www.news9live.com/sports/cricket-news/virat-kohli-on-verge-of-breaking-yet-another-record-of-tendulkar-in-2nd-odi-vs-nz-2919226]. ### Supporting Evidence of Kohli's Milestones - **Record-Breaking Stats**: - Fastest to 28,000 runs: Achieved in 624 innings, surpassing Tendulkar's previous record [https://www.probatsman.com/cricket-news/ind-vs-nz-2026-virat-kohli-breaks-tendulkars-record-to-become-quickest-batter-to-28000-international-runs]. - Second-highest run-scorer: Kohli's total now stands at 28,016 runs, overtaking Sangakkara [https://www.kashmirreader.com/2026/01/12/virat-kohli-becomes-second-highest-run-scorer-in-intl-cricket]. ### Conclusion: Kohli's Path to Greatness In summary, **Virat Kohli's recent achievements have not only solidified his status as one of cricket's greats but also set the stage for further milestones**. His performance in the first ODI against New Zealand showcased his ability to lead and perform under pressure, and as he approaches the second ODI, the cricketing world watches closely. 1. Kohli's record-breaking journey continues with the potential to surpass Tendulkar's legacy. 2. His performance in the first ODI was pivotal for India's success. 3. The upcoming match presents an opportunity for Kohli to further enhance his already illustrious career. As Kohli aims for new heights, his journey remains a testament to his skill, determination, and the evolving narrative of cricket history [https://www.sportingnews.com/in/cricket/news/how-virat-kohli-beat-sachin-tendulkar-milestone-fastest-28000/ec54e3a3b6d7c0575de4edb6].