Two legends, one mission: closing in on Tendulkar
India’s ODI greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma walk into the first one-dayer against West Indies with more than just a series on their minds. They’re stalking history — and much of it still carries Sachin Tendulkar’s name.sports.
The Thiruvananthapuram stage is perfect for it. Kohli loves this ground. Rohit loves big chases. And together, they’ve defined India’s ODI era for well over a decade.
Kohli’s record hunt: 59 runs from 15,000
Kohli stands on 14,941 ODI runs from 314 matches. He needs 59 more to join Tendulkar as the only men to cross 15,000 in the format.
If he gets there in this match, he’ll reach the mark in his 303rd innings — potentially the fastest ever to do so.
His ODI numbers are monstrous: 54 centuries, 79 fifties, average of 58.59, best of 183. He’s India’s second-highest ODI run-scorer behind Tendulkar’s 18,426.
Home-ground dominance: two Tendulkar records in sight
Kohli isn’t just chasing total runs. He’s closing in on Tendulkar’s home records too.sports.
- Most ODI runs at home: Tendulkar has 6,976. Kohli has 6,867 — just 110 short.
- Most international centuries at home: Tendulkar has 42. Kohli has 41 — two more tons in India and he’s past.sports.
Kohli’s home ODI average is 62.42 from 130 matches, with 27 centuries and 36 fifties. That consistency is why these records feel reachable, not far-fetched.
List-A centuries: one step from an all-India mark
In List-A cricket, Kohli has 59 hundreds. Tendulkar finished with 60. Two more and Kohli tops the Indian list in that category too.
Rohit’s opener milestone: 135 runs from 10,000
Rohit isn’t far behind in his own chase. He’s 105 runs from becoming the third Indian to 12,000 ODI runs, after Kohli and Tendulkar.
As an opener, the numbers get even more interesting. He has 9,865 runs from 201 matches at an average of 54.5, with 32 centuries. He needs 135 more to reach 10,000 as an opener — only the fourth man ever, and the second Indian after Tendulkar.
His overall ODI tally sits at 11,895 runs from 288 matches, average 48.95, including that world-record 264.
Rohit’s recent Tendulkar overtakes
Rohit has already passed Tendulkar in a few key areas this year:
- Most international centuries by an Indian opener.
- Oldest Indian to score an ODI century — his Lord’s hundred came at 39 years and 80 days, edging Tendulkar’s 38 years and 327 days.
- Most ODI centuries by an Indian on foreign soil, with eight in England alone.
So when people talk about “the next Tendulkar”, Rohit and Kohli aren’t waiting. They’re rewriting the record books while still playing.
What’s next if they cross the lines in Thiruvananthapuram
If Kohli gets his 59 runs, expect the 15,000-club headlines to dominate. Add a home century and suddenly three Tendulkar records are under threat in one game.sports.
If Rohit ticks past 12,000 and moves closer to 10,000 as an opener, it cements his status as the most successful ODI opener India has produced — Tendulkar included.newsable.
Both men are now ODI-exclusive for India, which means every innings counts even more in these chases.
FAQs
How many runs does Virat Kohli need to reach 15,000 ODI runs?
Kohli needs 59 runs. He has 14,941 ODI runs so far.
Which Sachin Tendulkar records is Kohli chasing at home?
Most ODI runs at home (needs 110 more) and most international centuries at home (needs two more tons). He’s also two List-A hundreds away from passing Tendulkar’s 60.
What milestone is Rohit Sharma close to as an opener?
Rohit needs 135 runs to become only the fourth opener, and second Indian after Tendulkar, to score 10,000 runs as an opener in ODIs.
How many ODI runs does Rohit need to reach 12,000?
He is 105 runs short of 12,000 ODI runs, which would make him the third Indian to achieve that after Kohli and Tendulkar.
