Virat Kohli 25 runs from 28,000; set to surpass Kumar Sangakkara

Virat Kohli is on the cusp of history, needing just 25 runs to reach 28,000 international runs and 42 to surpass Kumar Sangakkara as the second-highest run-scorer of all time, behind only Sachin Tendulkar, ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand.

Kohli on Brink of Surpassing Sangakkara

Ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand on Sunday, Indian batting legend Virat Kohli is just 25 runs away from becoming the third player to score 28,000 international runs after the great Sachin Tendulkar and former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara.

Additionally, Kohli needs 42 more runs to topple Sangakkara (28,016 runs) to become the second-highest run-getter of all time across all formats. Currently, Kohli has amassed 27,975 runs in 556 matches and 623 innings in international cricket. The right-handed batter has a superb average of 52.58 along with 84 centuries and 145 half-centuries across all formats.

The Elite Club: Sangakkara and Tendulkar's Records

Ahead of Kohli is Sri Lankan legend Sangakkara, who notched up 28,016 runs in 594 matches and 666 innings in international cricket. The former cricketer averaged 46.77, including 63 centuries and 153 fifties.

The leading run-getter in international cricket is Indian legend Tendulkar. The great batter smashed 34,357 runs in 664 matches and 782 innings at an average of 48.25. Tendulkar scored 100 centuries and 164 half-centuries across all formats.

Gill Highlights Value of Kohli, Rohit

Ahead of the first ODI, India ODI captain Shubman Gill has highlighted the importance of Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the Indian cricket team. Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of the 1st India vs New Zealand ODI of the three-match ODI series, Gill lauded Rohit as one of the greatest openers in ODIs and Kohli as one of the greatest batters in ODI cricket ever.

The India ODI captain Gill added that having Rohit and Kohli in the side makes a captain's life much easier, because whenever there is a challenging situation, you can go to them for decision-making, which is valuable for any captain. "Among the two players you have named, one is one of the greatest openers (Rohit) of all time in ODIs, and Virat bhai is one of the greatest ODI batsmen ever. So definitely, having these two people in your team makes your life a lot easier, and whenever you are in a challenging situation, you can go to them for input. Because they have often been in those situations, you can go to them to see how they think or what they would do. That piece of information is very valuable for any captain," Gill said. (ANI)

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