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Shreyas Iyer Hits Major ODI Milestone: Leaves Virat Kohli Behind, Equals Shikhar Dhawan in Elite List
The Indian vice-captain reached 3,000 ODI runs at remarkable speed during the Afghanistan series, joining an exclusive club and adding another chapter to his growing white-ball legacy.
Lucknow: India’s dependable middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer achieved a significant career milestone in One Day International cricket, reaching 3,000 ODI runs and entering an elite list of Indian batting stars.
The landmark moment came during India’s ODI series against Afghanistan, where Iyer not only contributed with the bat but also celebrated his first bilateral ODI series victory as the team’s vice-captain.
What makes the achievement even more impressive is the speed at which the Mumbai-born batter reached the milestone. Iyer completed 3,000 ODI runs in just 72 innings, matching the record of former India opener Shikhar Dhawan and surpassing the mark set by batting icon Virat Kohli, who had taken 75 innings to reach the same figure.
Iyer Joins Exclusive Company
Reaching 3,000 ODI runs is considered a major benchmark in international cricket, often reflecting consistency and long-term impact at the highest level. By accomplishing the feat in only 72 innings, Iyer has underlined his importance in India’s white-ball setup.
While the achievement places him alongside Dhawan, one Indian batter still sits above the rest. Shubman Gill remains the fastest Indian to reach 3,000 ODI runs, having achieved the milestone in only 62 innings.
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The latest numbers highlight the impressive company Iyer now keeps among India’s most successful ODI performers and further strengthen his credentials as one of the country’s most reliable middle-order players.
A Special Series for India’s Vice-Captain
The milestone arrived during a memorable ODI series for Team India. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma and with Iyer serving as vice-captain, India completed a dominant 3-0 clean sweep over Afghanistan.
For Iyer, the series was about more than personal numbers. It marked his first ODI series triumph in the role of vice-captain, adding leadership success to an already memorable occasion.
His performances throughout the series reflected the confidence and maturity that have become hallmarks of his game in recent years.
Building a Strong ODI Legacy
Since making his international debut, Shreyas Iyer has steadily established himself as a key pillar of India’s batting unit. Known for his ability to handle pressure situations and accelerate the scoring rate in the middle overs, he has become one of the team’s most trusted ODI batters.
With several years of cricket still ahead of him, the 3,000-run milestone could be just another stepping stone in what promises to be an impressive international career.
As India continues its preparations for future global tournaments, Iyer’s consistency and leadership qualities are likely to make him an even more important figure in the team’s plans.
For now, however, the spotlight belongs to the man who matched Shikhar Dhawan, moved ahead of Virat Kohli in a notable ODI record, and reminded cricket fans why he remains one of India’s most valuable white-ball stars.
