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Virat Kohli has once again etched his name in the record books, becoming the fastest batter in history to reach 14,000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs). The Indian batting maestro achieved this incredible feat in just 287 innings, surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who took 350 innings to reach the same milestone.
Kohli reached the landmark during India’s Champions Trophy 2025 clash against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23, adding yet another historic achievement to his illustrious career.
Comparing ODI records: Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar after 14 000 runs
For decades, Tendulkar and Kohli have been the backbone of Indian cricket, dominating ODI batting charts in their respective eras. Tendulkar ruled the 50-over format during the 1990s and 2000s, setting numerous records that seemed unbreakable. However, Kohli has carried forward the legacy in the 2010s and beyond, establishing himself as one of the most prolific run-chasers in the history of the game.
Kohli had already surpassed Tendulkar’s record for most ODI centuries, bringing up his 51st century during the 2023 ODI World Cup, eclipsing Tendulkar’s tally of 49 centuries. However, the all-time ODI run-scoring record still belongs to Tendulkar, who amassed over 18,000 runs in his career, while Kohli now sits in second place, inching closer to yet another historic landmark.
With Kohli continuing to break records that were once considered untouchable, it’s worth taking a deeper look into how both legends compare across different eras, conditions, and performances when they reached the 14,000-run milestone in ODIs.
Virat Kohli has once again rewritten history by becoming the fastest batter to reach 14,000 ODI runs, achieving the feat in just 287 innings, a staggering 63 innings fewer than Sachin Tendulkar, who took 350 innings to reach the milestone. This achievement solidifies Kohli’s reputation as one of the most consistent and dominant ODI batters of all time. A deep dive into their numbers at this stage of their careers reveals that Kohli holds an edge over Tendulkar in nearly every statistical category.
Kohli’s batting average stands at an impressive 58.20, significantly higher than Tendulkar’s 44.19, reflecting his superior consistency. Additionally, Kohli maintains a higher strike rate of 93.41, compared to Tendulkar’s 85.92, highlighting his ability to score at a quicker pace while maintaining stability. When it comes to converting starts into big scores, Kohli leads again, having registered 73 fifties and 51 centuries, while Tendulkar had 71 fifties and 39 centuries at this stage.
Also READ: Twitter reactions – Virat Kohli’s masterful 51st ODI century powers India to a dominant win over Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025
Overall career stats at 14,000 ODI runs
1. Virat Kohli
- Matches: 299
- Innings: 287
- Runs: 14,085
- Batting Average: 58.20
- Strike Rate: 93.41
- 100s / 50s: 51 / 73
2. Sachin Tendulkar
- Matches: 359
- Innings: 350
- Runs: 14,009
- Batting Average: 44.19
- Strike Rate: 85.92
- 100s / 50s: 39 / 71
Verdict: Kohli reached 14,000 runs in just 287 innings, an incredible 63 innings faster than Tendulkar. He also maintains a much higher average and strike rate.
1. Home ODI Stats
Batting in home conditions has always been an area where both players excelled, but Kohli’s ability to dominate attacks with remarkable efficiency puts him ahead. By the time Kohli reached 14,000 runs, he had played 124 home ODIs, compared to 120 for Tendulkar. However, despite playing a similar number of games, Kohli’s numbers are far superior.
Kohli had amassed 6,325 runs at home, averaging an outstanding 60.23, whereas Tendulkar had 4,909 runs at an average of 46.75. This stark difference of nearly 14 runs per innings underscores Kohli’s incredible consistency in familiar conditions. Additionally, Kohli scored at a significantly faster rate, maintaining a strike rate of 96.63, well ahead of Tendulkar’s 87.55. Kohli also converted his starts into big knocks more frequently, smashing 34 fifties and 24 centuries, compared to Tendulkar’s 27 fifties and 15 centuries.
Performance in Home ODIs
1. Virat Kohli
- Innings: 121
- Runs: 6,325
- Batting Average: 60.23
- Strike Rate: 96.63
- 100s / 50s: 24 / 34
2. Sachin Tendulkar
- Innings: 117
- Runs: 4,909
- Batting Average: 46.75
- Strike Rate: 87.55
- 100s / 50s: 15 / 27
Verdict: Kohli dominates at home, averaging over 60 with a higher strike rate, while Tendulkar averaged under 47. Kohli also converted his starts into more centuries.
2. Away ODI Stats
Performing away from home is the ultimate test of a batter’s skill and adaptability, and Kohli has proven to be an absolute master in overseas conditions. By the time he crossed the 14,000-run mark, Kohli had already scored 5,394 runs in 115 away innings, averaging an impressive 54.48. In contrast, Tendulkar had 3,567 runs in 109 innings, but his average dipped to 34.97, nearly 20 runs lower than Kohli’s.
What stands out is Kohli’s ability to maintain an elite level of consistency in foreign conditions, mirroring his home dominance. His strike rate of 90.79 further highlights his effectiveness, compared to Tendulkar’s 80.64, showing that Kohli has been the more fluent and aggressive batter away from home. Kohli also recorded 21 fifties and 25 centuries, whereas Tendulkar managed 16 fifties and just 8 centuries.
Performance in Away ODIs
1. Virat Kohli
- Innings: 115
- Runs: 5,394
- Batting Average: 54.48
- Strike Rate: 90.79
- 100s / 50s: 25 / 21
2. Sachin Tendulkar
- Innings: 109
- Runs: 3,567
- Batting Average: 34.97
- Strike Rate: 80.64
- 100s / 50s: 8 / 16
Verdict: Kohli is far more consistent in away conditions, averaging 54.48 compared to Tendulkar’s 34.97. He also has 25 centuries away from home, while Tendulkar had just 8.
3. ICC Events
Performing in ICC tournaments is the ultimate measure of a batter’s temperament and ability to handle pressure. Both Kohli and Tendulkar have delivered on the grandest stages, but Kohli’s numbers in ICC events after 14,000 runs show that he has been even more impactful than Tendulkar.
At this stage, Kohli had already played 52 matches in ICC tournaments, scoring 2,446 runs in 51 innings at a staggering average of 66.10. Tendulkar, on the other hand, had played 44 matches, scoring 2,091 runs in 42 innings at an average of 56.51. While both players were crucial for India in global tournaments, Kohli’s higher average and bigger impact in knockouts and crucial games set him apart.
Kohli’s strike rate of 88.71 is also better than Tendulkar’s 86.69, reinforcing his ability to keep the scoreboard ticking under pressure. Moreover, Kohli had 17 fifties and 6 centuries in ICC tournaments by this stage, while Tendulkar had 13 fifties and 5 centuries, once again proving that Kohli has been the more reliable match-winner on cricket’s biggest stage.
Key takeaways: Kohli’s efficiency vs Tendulkar’s Longevity
- Fastest to 14,000 Runs – Kohli took 287 innings, while Tendulkar needed 350 innings, proving that Kohli has been far more efficient in accumulating runs.
- Superior Batting Average – Kohli’s 58.20 average is significantly higher than Tendulkar’s 44.19, highlighting his incredible consistency.
- More Centuries and Fifties – Kohli’s 73 fifties and 51 centuries surpass Tendulkar’s 71 fifties and 39 centuries, showing his superior ability to convert starts into big scores.
- Home Dominance – Kohli averages 60.23 at home, while Tendulkar averaged 46.75, with Kohli also scoring at a faster strike rate.
- Away Brilliance – Kohli’s away average of 54.48 is far superior to Tendulkar’s 34.97, making Kohli the more reliable batter in foreign conditions.
- ICC Event Impact – Kohli has more runs, a better average, and a stronger conversion rate in ICC tournaments, proving his effectiveness in big games.
- Better Strike Rate Across Eras – Kohli’s 93.41 strike rate reflects his ability to score faster than Tendulkar’s 85.92, adjusting well to the modern game.
While Tendulkar’s longevity and sheer volume of runs remain unmatched, Kohli’s efficiency, consistency, and ability to dominate in all conditions make him arguably the most complete ODI batter of all time. The debate over who is greater will continue, but one thing is certain-both have defined generations and set records that will stand the test of time.
