Virat Kohli has added another feather to his crown. He has officially become the first-ever batter in international cricket to register 13,000 ODI runs as a No.3 batter. The former India National Cricket Team captain achieved the record in the second innings of the India vs New Zealand 1st ODI of the 5-match series in Auckland today, on November 4.

Kohli needed only 12 runs to claim the record, surpassing the former Australia captain Ricky Ponting. For years, Ponting held the record for scoring the most runs in the 50-over format as a No.3 batter for his nation. On his way to achieve the feat, Kohli overtook some of the greats of the game like Kumar Sangakkara, Jacques Kallis, and Kane Williamson as well.

13,000 ODI runs for Virat Kohli as a No.3 batter

On the pace-friendly wicket, in front of the Indian bowling attack, the New Zealand cricket team lost all of their wickets for only 185 runs in the first innings of the match. The 186-run target was paltry in front of the star-studded Indian batting line-up. The Kiwis, however, got a good start by dismissing Rohit Sharma for a duck on the very first over of the second innings.

After the departure of Rohit Sharma, the onus to pull the team out of danger was on Kohli and the skipper Shubman Gill. Gill and Kohli stabilized the innings with their cool and calm batting. Without trying anything fancy, Virat touched the 13,000-run landmark with ease. He scored his required 12th run on the 13th ball of his innings.

Virat Kohli surpassed Ricky Ponting and multiple other cricket legends

According to stats, the Indian batting maestro has so far registered that amount of runs with forty-eight centuries and sixty-nine half-centuries. Ricky Ponting, who just slipped to the second spot, scored 12,662 runs as Australia's No.3 batter with 29 centuries and 74 half-centuries. Former Sri Lanka national cricket team captain Kumar Sangakkara is also in this list for scoring 9,747 runs with the support of 18 centuries and 66 half-centuries as a No.3 batter.

Far from Virat Kohli, Babar Azam is also on the list. The star batter from Pakistan is at the sixth spot with 6,054 ODI runs as a No.3 batter.

Most ODI runs as a No. 3 batter:
1. Virat Kohli: 13,000* runs, 48 centuries, 69 half-centuries
2. Ricky Ponting: 12,662 runs, 29 centuries, 74 half-centuries
3. Kumar Sangakkara: 9,747 runs, 18 centuries, 66 half-centuries
4. Jacques Kallis: 7,774 runs, 13 centuries, 57 half-centuries
5. Kane Williamson: 6,504 runs, 13 centuries, 44 half-centuries
6. Babar Azam: 6,054 runs, 20 centuries, 32 half-centuries

Virat Kohli is not far away from claiming another record

The ongoing ODI series between India and New Zealand is likely to see Virat Kohli breaking multiple records as an ODI batter.

He is currently not far away from scoring the most ODI runs against the Blackcaps in this particular format. As of now, Pointing holds the record for scoring the most ODI runs against New Zealand.