Virat Kohli becomes first-ever No. 3 batter to score 13,000 runs in ODI cricket

Virat Kohli Becomes First Batter to Score 13,000 ODI Runs at No. 3

Virat Kohli has added another landmark to an already extraordinary international career, becoming the first batter in men’s ODI cricket to score 13,000 runs while batting at No. 3. The India star reached the milestone during the second innings of the first ODI against New Zealand in Auckland on November 4, needing just 12 runs to move past the historic mark.

The achievement places Kohli ahead of former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who had long topped the list of leading ODI run-scorers at the No. 3 position. It also highlights the consistency and longevity behind Kohli’s record: he has made the role his own across different opponents, conditions and stages of his career.

A milestone reached under pressure

India began the chase of 186 after restricting New Zealand to 185 in the first innings. The target appeared manageable for a strong Indian batting line-up, but the hosts made an early breakthrough when Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a duck in the opening over.

That wicket brought Kohli to the crease with captain Shubman Gill, leaving the pair to steady the innings. Rather than forcing the pace, Kohli and Gill focused on rebuilding through controlled shot selection and sensible running. Kohli reached 13,000 ODI runs at No. 3 with his 12th run, scored from his 13th delivery.

The moment was a reminder that major records do not always arrive with a dramatic flourish. In this case, Kohli’s landmark came through the measured approach that has defined much of his batting: assess the situation, manage risk and keep the scoreboard moving.

Kohli moves past Ricky Ponting

Before Kohli’s achievement, Ponting held the top position with 12,662 ODI runs batting at No. 3 for Australia. The former captain built his total with 29 centuries and 74 half-centuries. Kohli’s record, meanwhile, includes 48 centuries and 69 half-centuries, underlining his exceptional ability to convert starts into major scores.

Several other celebrated batters feature among the leading No. 3 run-scorers. Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara accumulated 9,747 runs in the position, while South Africa’s Jacques Kallis recorded 7,774. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson and Pakistan’s Babar Azam are also on the list, reflecting how central the No. 3 role has been to many teams’ ODI batting plans.

Most ODI runs batting at No. 3

1. Virat Kohli: 13,000 runs, 48 centuries, 69 half-centuries

2. Ricky Ponting: 12,662 runs, 29 centuries, 74 half-centuries

3. Kumar Sangakkara: 9,747 runs, 18 centuries, 66 half-centuries

4. Jacques Kallis: 7,774 runs, 13 centuries, 57 half-centuries

5. Kane Williamson: 6,504 runs, 13 centuries, 44 half-centuries

6. Babar Azam: 6,054 runs, 20 centuries, 32 half-centuries

These figures show the scale of Kohli’s lead. His total is more than 300 runs ahead of Ponting’s and over 3,000 clear of Sangakkara’s. The comparison also reflects different scoring profiles: Ponting recorded more half-centuries, while Kohli has produced a notably high number of hundreds.

Why the No. 3 position matters

Batting at No. 3 often requires a player to adapt quickly. The batter may arrive early after a top-order dismissal and need to rebuild, or come in after a strong opening stand and maintain the scoring rate. The position demands sound technique, tactical awareness and the ability to shift gears as the match develops.

Kohli’s record speaks to his versatility in that role. He has repeatedly balanced caution with aggression, building partnerships when wickets fall and accelerating when the innings calls for it. That combination has made him one of the most dependable ODI batters of his generation and a key figure in India’s middle order.

Reaching 13,000 runs at a single batting position is also a measure of sustained opportunity and performance. It requires a player to remain a regular in the side over many years while continuing to deliver against varied bowling attacks. Kohli’s milestone is therefore not simply a statistical achievement; it captures a long period of consistency at the highest level.

More records could be in sight

The India–New Zealand series may offer Kohli further opportunities to add to his ODI record. He is also closing in on the mark for the most ODI runs scored against New Zealand, a record currently held by Ponting, according to the figures cited in the match coverage.

Any prediction about when that next milestone will arrive depends on his opportunities at the crease and the course of the remaining matches. Still, Kohli’s form and experience make him a player to watch whenever India take on the Black Caps. Each innings gives him another chance to challenge a record once associated with one of the game’s greats.

For now, the 13,000-run landmark stands as a defining achievement in Kohli’s ODI career. By moving past Ponting and setting a new benchmark for No. 3 batters, he has strengthened his place among cricket’s most accomplished run-scorers—and provided another compelling chapter in the ongoing story of India’s modern batting era.