Virat Kohli surpasses Tendulkar to score most runs in the away ODIs for India

The wait for Virat Kohli’s 71st century continues as he was dismissed for 51 runs off just 63 balls in the first ODI against South Africa. Former Bangalore teammate Tabraiz Shamsi dismissed him during the 29th over. Kohli tried to hit the fourth ball of Shamsi’s over towards the deep square leg but the ball kept low and he couldn’t connect it properly. The ball went to mid-wicket where Temba Bavuma safely completed the catch.

But, Kohli did achieve another milestone in this game. He managed to surpass Sachin Tendulkar to become the Indian player to score the most runs in the away ODIs. Sachin made 5065 runs in away ODIs for India. Kohli took 104 innings to reach the top position. 

The other three Indian players on this list are Mahendra Singh Dhoni (4520 runs), Rahul Dravid (3998 runs), and Sourav Ganguly (3468 runs). Kohli has the highest average among all of them – 58.39. He also has scored the most centuries (20) in the away ODIs for India.

Former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara holds the record for scoring the most runs in overseas ODIs (5518 runs). Kohli also went past Ganguly and Dravid in terms of most runs scored by an Indian batter against South Africa. He is now second on the list of most runs against South Africa by an Indian batter, behind Sachin, who scored 2001 runs. Sachin’s tally of runs is also the most by any player across countries. 

Overall, Kohli is the sixth-highest run-scorer against Proteas. Apart from Sachin, Kohli stands behind Ricky Ponting (1879 runs), Sangakkara (1789 runs), Steve Waugh (1581 runs), and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (1559 runs).

South Africa made 296 runs for the loss of four wickets in the first ODI after winning the toss. Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen scored a century each. Van der Dussen was more destructive as he clinched 129 runs off 96 deliveries. However, India, despite getting off to a good start, tumbled in the final overs. They are tottering at 218-8 at the time of writing.

Here is how Virat Kohli stands in the tally of most runs in the away ODIs for India:

Most runs away in ODI for India:

Virat Kohli - 5066*

Sachin Tendulkar - 5065

MS Dhoni - 4520

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 19, 2022