New Delhi, January 13, 2026 – Statistical dominance has a new name as Virat Kohli moved past Ricky Ponting to occupy the second position in the list of most runs scored in international cricket (Test, ODI, and T20I combined). While Ponting reached his tally in 560 matches, Kohli has managed to eclipse the figure in significantly fewer innings, showcasing a higher rate of run production.
With 80+ international centuries and a career spanning over 17 years, Kohli has now solidified his position as the modern era’s most prolific batsman. Analysts suggest that while Tendulkar’s mountain of 34,357 runs remains a distant peak, Kohli is the only active player with a realistic chance of narrowing that gap. The feat comes at a crucial time for Team India, as they prepare for the upcoming ICC cycles where Kohli’s experience and form will be the team’s bedrock.
