Key points
- Virat Kohli has scored 514 runs in 11 ODIs played in New Zealand and is third on the Indian run-scoring list in the country.
- Sachin Tendulkar leads the list with 652 runs from 18 ODIs in New Zealand; Kohli needs 139 more to move ahead.
- Virender Sehwag is second with 598 runs from 12 matches, while MS Dhoni and Rahul Dravid complete the top five.
- Kohli has one century and four half-centuries in New Zealand ODIs, with a highest score of 123.
- India's five-match ODI series against New Zealand begins in Auckland on November 4, 2026.
- Captain Shubman Gill said India's top four would be Gill, Rohit Sharma, Kohli and Shreyas Iyer, with a flexible approach for the fifth and sixth positions.
Virat Kohli will have a major milestone in sight when India begin their five-match ODI series against New Zealand in Auckland on November 4. The former India captain has scored 514 runs in 11 ODIs played in New Zealand and needs another 139 runs to move past Sachin Tendulkar's record of 652 runs by an Indian batter in the country.
Kohli is currently third on the list, behind Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag. The series gives him five scheduled matches in which to close the gap, although the record will depend on the runs he scores during the tour. The figures were reported by The Times of India ahead of the opening match at Eden Park.
Tendulkar leads the Indian run charts in New Zealand
Tendulkar tops the list with 652 runs from 18 ODIs in New Zealand. He registered one century and four half-centuries, with a highest score of 163 not out. His record has remained the benchmark for Indian batters playing one-day internationals in the country.
Sehwag occupies second place with 598 runs in 12 matches. He scored three centuries and two half-centuries, and his highest score was 125 not out. Kohli's 514 runs have come in 11 matches, including one hundred and four fifties. His highest score in New Zealand ODIs is 123.
The next two names in the top five are MS Dhoni and Rahul Dravid. Dhoni scored 505 runs in 13 matches, including five half-centuries and a best of 84 not out. Dravid made 425 runs in 12 matches, with one century, two half-centuries and a highest score of 123 not out.
Indian batters with most ODI runs in New Zealand
- Sachin Tendulkar: 652 runs in 18 matches; average 38.35; highest 163 not out; one century and four fifties.
- Virender Sehwag: 598 runs in 12 matches; average 54.36; highest 125 not out; three centuries and two fifties.
- Virat Kohli: 514 runs in 11 matches; average 46.72; highest 123; one century and four fifties.
- MS Dhoni: 505 runs in 13 matches; average 72.14; highest 84 not out; no centuries and five fifties.
- Rahul Dravid: 425 runs in 12 matches; average 38.63; highest 123 not out; one century and two fifties.
The figures show that Kohli is within reach of the top position, but Sehwag's tally is also ahead of him. Kohli's immediate target is to score enough runs to pass Tendulkar, rather than simply move into second place. A run total of 653 or more in New Zealand ODIs would put him outright at the top of this list.
Gill confirms India's top four for the series
India captain Shubman Gill has also outlined the team's batting order ahead of the series. Gill said the top four would feature himself, Rohit Sharma, Kohli and Shreyas Iyer. The four right-handers are expected to form the core of India's top order.
Gill indicated that India would keep positions five and six flexible. KL Rahul and Axar Patel are options depending on the match situation and the need for a left-handed batter. Gill said Axar could be moved up if a left-hander was required, while Rahul's position could also change according to the circumstances.
The approach gives India room to adjust their middle order during the five-match contest. It also places Kohli in a settled top-four group as he begins the series with the New Zealand-specific run record in view.
A five-match opportunity in New Zealand
The first ODI is scheduled for November 4 in Auckland, beginning a five-match series. The matches provide Kohli with an opportunity to add to his existing record in New Zealand, where he has already made 514 runs across 11 appearances.
For India, the series is also a chance to test the batting combinations under Gill's leadership. The captain's comments suggest that the top four are settled while the lower middle order will be adjusted to suit the conditions and the state of each innings.
Kohli's pursuit of Tendulkar's mark will be one of the individual storylines to follow through the tour. Tendulkar's 652 remains the benchmark, with Sehwag's 598 also ahead of Kohli at the start of the series. Kohli needs 139 runs to go beyond Tendulkar and become India's leading ODI run-scorer in New Zealand.
Frequently asked questions
How many runs does Virat Kohli need to break Sachin Tendulkar's New Zealand ODI record?
Kohli needs 139 more runs to move past Tendulkar's tally of 652 runs in ODIs played in New Zealand. Kohli has scored 514 runs from 11 matches in the country and is currently third among Indian batters on the list.
How many ODI runs has Virat Kohli scored in New Zealand?
Kohli has scored 514 runs in 11 ODIs played in New Zealand, according to the figures reported ahead of the 2026 series. His record in the country includes one century, four half-centuries and a highest score of 123.
Who is India's leading run-scorer in ODIs played in New Zealand?
Sachin Tendulkar is at the top of the Indian list with 652 runs in 18 ODIs in New Zealand. Virender Sehwag is second with 598 runs, while Virat Kohli is third with 514 runs ahead of the upcoming series.
When does India's 2026 ODI series against New Zealand begin?
The five-match ODI series is scheduled to begin in Auckland on November 4, 2026. The first match will be played at Eden Park, with Virat Kohli approaching Tendulkar's record for most ODI runs by an Indian batter in New Zealand.
Who will bat in India's top four against New Zealand?
India captain Shubman Gill said the top four would consist of himself, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer. He said the team would use a flexible approach for positions five and six, with KL Rahul and Axar Patel available according to the match situation.
Who is second on India's New Zealand ODI run-scoring list?
Virender Sehwag is second with 598 runs from 12 ODIs played in New Zealand. His record includes three centuries and two half-centuries, with a highest score of 125 not out, according to the figures in the report.