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Virat Kohli Breaks Kumar Sangakkara’s Iconic ODI Record in Cardiff, Then Creates Another Historic Milestone for India
The Indian batting legend delivered a classy 65-run knock against England, becoming the highest run-scorer in away ODIs at opponents’ home venues while also surpassing Rahul Dravid’s long-standing record in England.
Virat Kohli once again reminded the cricketing world why he remains one of the greatest batters of the modern era. During the second ODI between India and England at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, the veteran batter rewrote the record books by overtaking Kumar Sangakkara to become the highest run-scorer in One Day Internationals played at opponents’ home venues.
The 37-year-old entered the match needing just 46 runs to surpass the former Sri Lanka captain’s tally of 5,518 runs. Kohli reached the landmark during the 24th over of India’s innings before finishing with a fluent 65 off 66 balls, decorated with eight elegant boundaries.
The milestone is even more remarkable because Kohli achieved it in just 126 away ODIs, while Sangakkara needed 149 matches to reach the same mark. His consistency away from home has once again highlighted his ability to perform under challenging overseas conditions.
Virat Kohli tops the all-time away ODI list
Following his innings in Cardiff, Kohli now leads the elite list of run-scorers in ODIs played at opponents’ home grounds.
- Virat Kohli (India): 5,519 runs in 126 matches (Average: 53.65)
- Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka): 5,518 runs in 149 matches (Average: 43.10)
- Ricky Ponting (Australia): 5,090 runs in 132 matches
- Sachin Tendulkar (India): 5,065 runs in 147 matches
- MS Dhoni (India): 4,520 runs in 145 matches
The numbers underline Kohli’s incredible efficiency, as he reached the summit in significantly fewer innings than most of the legends on the list.
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Closing in on another elite milestone
Kohli’s innings also took his combined tally in away and neutral ODIs to 7,981 runs, leaving him just short of the prestigious 8,000-run club outside home conditions.
Only seven cricketers have crossed the 8,000-run mark in away and neutral ODIs, with Sachin Tendulkar, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mahela Jayawardene, Ricky Ponting, and Sourav Ganguly currently occupying that exclusive list.
Among Indian batters, only Tendulkar and Ganguly have previously achieved the feat, making Kohli the next likely entrant into one of cricket’s most exclusive statistical clubs.
Another record falls: Rahul Dravid overtaken
The Cardiff innings brought another memorable achievement for the former India captain.
Needing only four runs before the match, Kohli surpassed Rahul Dravid to become India’s highest run-scorer across all international formats in England.
Since making his international debut in the United Kingdom in 2011, Kohli has accumulated 2,688 international runs in England across 59 matches and 75 innings, moving ahead of Dravid’s tally of 2,645 runs, which came between 1996 and 2011.
The latest accomplishment adds yet another chapter to Kohli’s extraordinary international career, proving that even after more than a decade at the highest level, he continues to set new benchmarks for consistency and excellence.
With crucial international assignments still ahead, the Indian superstar appears far from finished, and judging by his form in Cardiff, more historic milestones could soon be within touching distance.
