NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli will have another major milestone in sight when India take on New Zealand in the first ODI at Eden Park in Auckland on Wednesday. The former India captain is closing in on a record held by legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar.Kohli is currently the third-highest run-scorer among Indian batters in ODIs played in New Zealand. He has scored 514 runs in 11 matches on New Zealand soil and needs another 139 runs to move to the top of the list.Sachin Tendulkar is at the top of the list with 652 runs in 18 ODIs played in New Zealand. He scored one century (100 or more runs in an innings) and four half-centuries (50 to 99 runs). His highest score was 163 not out, which means he was not dismissed in that innings.Virender Sehwag is second with 598 runs in 12 matches. He scored three centuries and two half-centuries, with his highest score being 125 not out.Kohli, who occupies the third position with 514 runs in 11 matches, has scored one century and four half-centuries in New Zealand. His highest score is 123 runs.MS Dhoni is fourth on the list with 505 runs in 13 matches. He did not score a century but registered five half-centuries. His highest score was 84 not out.Rahul Dravid completes the top five with 425 runs in 12 matches. He scored one century and two half-centuries, with his highest score being 123 not out.
| Position | Player | Matches | Runs | Average | Highest score | Strike rate | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | 18 | 652 | 38.35 | 163* | 98.19 | 1 | 4 |
| 2 | Virender Sehwag | 12 | 598 | 54.36 | 125* | 103.10 | 3 | 2 |
| 3 | Virat Kohli | 11 | 514 | 46.72 | 123 | 91.45 | 1 | 4 |
| 4 | MS Dhoni | 13 | 505 | 72.14 | 84* | 96.92 | 0 | 5 |
| 5 | Rahul Dravid | 12 | 425 | 38.63 | 123* | 63.33 | 1 | 2 |
Gill reveals India’s batting order
Meanwhile, India captain Shubman Gill has confirmed the team’s top four batters for the five-match ODI series against New Zealand.Gill said the top order would feature four right-handed batters – himself, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer. The team will follow a flexible approach for the No. 5 and No. 6 positions, with KL Rahul and Axar Patel available depending on the situation.“We will have a floating approach for No. 5 and No.6. Our top four is set, all right-handers. So if lefty is needed, Axar bhai goes and depending on match situation even KL bhai can go. So bit flexible,” Gill said at the pre-match press conference ahead of the first ODI.India will begin their five-match ODI series against New Zealand in Auckland on November 4.
