IND vs NZ: Virat Kohli closes gap on Sachin Tendulkar’s another elite record with stellar performance in 1st ODI

New Delhi: Virat Kohli’s sensational run continues in 2026 as the star batter delivered another match-winning performance in the first ODI against New Zealand at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. He registered two consecutive ducks in the first two ODI matches against Australia, but returned to his prime form ever since.

Kohli is smashing centuries and fifties for India, helping the Men in Blue to win matches and walking away with the Player of the Match awards for his stellar performances. He bagged his 71st Player of the Match award in his illustrious 558-match international career.

After two back-to-back ducks in Australia, Kohli scored a half-century in the third ODI at SCG. He then notched up two hundreds and a half-century in the three-match ODI series against South Africa. The star batter also featured in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Delhi, smashing a ton and a fifty in two matches.

He has represented India across formats in his 18-year career and has made valuable contributions, especially in the 50-over format, which has contributed more than 50 per cent of Player of the Match awards.

Kohli inches closer to Tendulkar’s all-time record

Kohli scored 93 runs off 91 balls with the help of eight boundaries and one maximum in the first ODI against New Zealand. He was awarded his 45th ODI Player of the Match award in 309 appearances.

The star batter is second in the overall list of the Most Player of the Match awards in international cricket. He is only behind the legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s tally of 76 awards during his career. Tendulkar has a good lead when it comes to the ODI format, which has contributed more than 60 of his total awards in international cricket.

Most Player of the Match awards in international cricket