ODI Records: Achieving milestones has become second nature to Virat Kohli, but some records stand out for what they truly represent—longevity, consistency, and elite fitness.
On Sunday in Vadodara, the Indian batting icon quietly etched his name higher into the history books during the first ODI against New Zealand at the BCA Stadium.
As Kohli walked out to represent India once again, he played his 309th One-Day International, moving past former India captain Sourav Ganguly (308 ODIs) to break into the top five list of players with the most ODI appearances for India.
It was a moment that underlined not just Kohli’s greatness, but his remarkable durability across nearly two decades of international cricket.
Virat Kohli: A Symbol of Consistency and Longevity
Since making his ODI debut in 2008, Virat Kohli has been a constant presence in Indian cricket through changing teams, formats, and eras.
Crossing the 300-match mark itself is a rare achievement; doing so while maintaining elite performance levels makes Kohli’s journey even more extraordinary.
By overtaking Sourav Ganguly, Kohli reaffirmed his place among India’s most enduring cricketers—players who didn’t just shine briefly, but dominated across generations and against the very best bowling attacks in world cricket.
Most ODI Matches Played for India
| Position | Player | Career Span | Matches |
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | 1989–2012 | 463 |
| 2 | MS Dhoni | 2004–2019 | 347 |
| 3 | Rahul Dravid | 1996–2011 | 340 |
| 4 | Mohammad Azharuddin | 1985–2000 | 334 |
| 5 | Virat Kohli | 2008–Present | 309* |
| 6 | Sourav Ganguly | 1992–2007 | 308 |
| 7 | Yuvraj Singh | 2000–2017 | 301 |
| 8 | Rohit Sharma | 2007–Present | 280* |
| 9 | Anil Kumble | 1990–2007 | 269 |
| 10 | Virender Sehwag | 1999–2013 | 241 |
Respecting Ganguly’s Legacy
While Kohli has now edged past him in appearances, Sourav Ganguly’s contribution to Indian cricket remains monumental.
Ganguly concluded his ODI career with 311 caps overall, including three matches for the Asia XI. Across his ODI journey, he amassed 11,363 runs at an average of 41.02, striking 22 centuries and 72 half-centuries.
Ganguly’s leadership reshaped Indian cricket in the early 2000s, instilling aggression and self-belief in a young generation—one that later produced stars like Kohli himself.
Beyond Numbers: What This Milestone Truly Means
Kohli overtaking Ganguly is far more than a statistical update. It reflects:
- Exceptional physical fitness
- Unmatched mental resilience
- The ability to adapt as ODI cricket evolved
- Sustained excellence across different eras and conditions
Very few players manage to stay relevant for so long, let alone remain among the best in the world while doing so.
Eyes on Another Historic Landmark
Currently 37 years old, Kohli continues to chase history. With 27,975 international runs, he is closing in on another colossal achievement.
He needs just 42 more runs to surpass Kumar Sangakkara (28,016 runs) and become the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket history, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar.
At the top of the ODI appearances list, Tendulkar’s 463 matches remain a world record—one that still looks safely out of reach.
Red-Hot Form Ahead of the New Zealand Series
Kohli enters the New Zealand ODI series in scintillating form. In his last eight List-A matches, he has registered:
- 3 centuries
- 3 half-centuries
His dominance was especially evident during the recent ODI series against South Africa, where innings of 135, 102, and an unbeaten 65 showcased his supreme understanding of tempo, conditions, and match situations.
Virat Kohli breaking into the top five for most ODI matches for India is a celebration of endurance as much as excellence.
Passing a giant like Sourav Ganguly reinforces Kohli’s status as one of Indian cricket’s greatest ever servants—a player who has not only scored runs, but redefined consistency in the modern era.
Also Read: WPL 2026 Match 4 Preview: Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants—Momentum vs Redemption at DY Patil