Continuing his impressive form, Virat Kohli performed brilliantly with the bat in the very first match of the year 2026 for Team India. He played a brilliant half-century innings. However, he fell just seven runs short of his century. King Kohli scored 93 runs off 91 balls, including eight fours and one six.

After Rohit’s early dismissal, Virat came to bat in the ninth over and reached his half-century in just 44 balls in the 22nd over. Virat then aimed for his century, reaching 90 shortly after. This sparked hopes for a century from Virat Kohli’s bat, but Kyle Jamieson dismissed him on the very first ball of the 40th over.

Virat needs only 1 run to break Sachin Tendulkar’s record vs New Zealand

Virat Kohli may not have reached his century, but he managed to equal Sachin Tendulkar. However, he fell just one run short of surpassing Sachin. In fact, Virat Kohli had the chance to become the Asian batsman with the most runs in ODIs against New Zealand, but he only managed to equal the mark.

Now, Kohli will have to wait for the next match to achieve this significant record. As soon as he opens his account in the second ODI, Virat will become the Asian batsman with the most runs against New Zealand.

Asian batsman with the most runs in ODIs against New Zealand

Sachin Tendulkar – 1750 runs

Virat Kohli – 1750 runs

Kumar Sangakkara – 1568 runs

Sanath Jayasuriya – 1519 runs

Mahela Jayawardene – 1326 runs

Not only this, Virat Kohli also had a chance to become the batsman with the most centuries in ODI cricket against New Zealand. Had he succeeded in scoring a century, it would have been his seventh century in ODIs against New Zealand. Currently, Virat is tied with former Indian openers Virender Sehwag and Ricky Ponting. All three, Virat, Sehwag, and Ponting, have scored six centuries each in ODIs against New Zealand.