Kohli Passes Tendulkar as Top ODI Chase Scorer in Auckland Masterclass

Virat Kohli added another record to his collection in Auckland, passing Sachin Tendulkar as the highest run-scorer in ODI chases during India’s five-wicket win over New Zealand in the series opener.

Kohli’s 74 off 51 balls — his 80th ODI fifty — came on the eve of his 38th birthday and included 13 fours and a six, with his half-century arriving off just 35 balls, his second-fastest away from home in the format.

Walking out in the second over, he put on 113 with captain Shubman Gill and looked untroubled on a pitch that had caused problems for both sides, before falling to a pull shot off Jacob Duffy with India already well clear.

Praise from the greats

Former captain Sunil Gavaskar hailed the fluency of the innings, while ex-skipper Kris Srikkanth called it a lesson in batting on a misbehaving surface, noting that Kohli made it look effortless while others struggled around him.

The series moves on

India lead the five-match series 1-0, with the second ODI in Wellington on Saturday — and Kohli’s form suggests the chase-master tag is as fitting as ever.

Source: Sportskeeda