Virat Kohli could set a record of 13,000 runs in ODI format against New Zealand

Fans are eagerly anticipating the five-match one-day series between India and New Zealand, which begins on November 4th. This series will once again provide an opportunity for both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to showcase their abilities.

Before the start of the series, former India test player Cheteshwar Pujara made a significant statement. He believes that under conditions characterized by the pace and spin from New Zealand, Virat Kohli has a higher chance of scoring a century than Rohit Sharma.

Discussing the roles and batting order of both players during a conversation with JioStar, Pujara elaborated on the tasks. He noted that Rohit Sharma should aim for a quick run-scoring start to give the team a strong beginning. However, given the challenging conditions in New Zealand, opening batsmen have to play very cautiously against the new ball, which could pose difficulties for Rohit.

In contrast, Virat Kohli bats at number three in the lineup, which gives him more opportunities to play the anchor role in the ODI format.

According to Pujara, it becomes slightly easier for a batsman batting at number three to reach a century, which is why he rates Virat above Rohit. Both athletes are currently in excellent form. Recently, Virat played an incomplete innings of 139 runs against West India, while Rohit scored 225 runs across three matches.

Beyond the discussion about centuries, Pujara shared his opinion on the final outcome of the entire series. He stated that in this tour, the Indian team is divided into two groups: one squad will be used for the first three matches, and different players will be involved in the last two matches. Pujara believes this will give New Zealand a significant strategic advantage, as the Kiwi team will play with the same squad throughout the series. He predicts that India might gain an edge by winning the first three matches, but the last two games will be very difficult. Furthermore, he expressed concern that due to the weather in New Zealand, at least one match of the series might be cancelled due to rain, potentially resulting in a 2-2 draw for the series.

England captain Harry Brook set a historic record in the ODI format by completing a double century in just 114 balls during an ODI Tri-series match against Sri Lanka in Pakistan.

Thanks to his powerful batting, England managed to score an impressive total of 429 runs while losing four wickets in 50 overs. Furthermore, Brook became the first English player to reach a double century in ODIs and the second batsman, not starting at number one, to achieve such a feat in ODIs, succeeding Glenn Maxwell.

Previously, the record for the fastest double century in ODIs was held by Shubman Gill, who reached this milestone in 117 balls against West Indies at the Baraspara stadium in Guwahati this year.

On Thursday, October 22, 2026, in Rawalpindi, the Sri Lankan team won the auction and decided to start the game with a toss. Brook scored 202 runs off 116 balls, which included 21 fours and 10 sixes. He scored at an average rate of 174.13 and batted for 159 minutes. His double century became the fastest in ODI history.

England's innings started with Tom Banten and Ben Duckett. Banten scored 50 runs off 51 balls, including nine fours, but was dismissed by Dunith Wellalage. Duckett scored 29 runs off 39 balls and was also victimized by Wellalage. After England lost two wickets, having scored 85 runs, Joe Root and captain Harry Brook continued the innings.

Root contributed to the innings by scoring 69 runs off 66 balls, including eight fours, before being dismissed by Asitha Fernando. However, after Root's exit, Brook's aggressive style did not weaken. He continued to hit powerful shots against the Sri Lankan bowlers and ultimately completed his record double century. He was dismissed on the last ball of the match bowled by Janith Liyanage while attempting to play the ball towards backward point, but it was caught by Sahan Arachchige.

Willie Jackson also demonstrated an impressive performance, scoring 66 runs without getting out from 30 balls, using eight fours and three sixes, with a strike rate of 220. In the last five overs, England earned 78 runs, losing one wicket. A total of 13 extras were added to the innings, including one bye, one leg bye, two no-balls, and nine wides.

The final summary showed that the team scored 429/4 in 50 overs, with an average run rate of 8.58.

The Sri Lankan bowlers were under great pressure. Dunith Wellalage was the most successful, taking two wickets and conceding 56 runs in 10 overs. Asitha Fernando took one wicket, allowing the opponent 68 runs in 10 overs, and Janith Liyanage took one wicket, conceding 32 runs in two overs. Dilshan Madushanka conceded 89 runs in 10 overs without taking any wickets. Ashton Malanga spent 91 runs in 10 overs, and Dasun Shanaka gave away 74 runs in six overs, while Chamindu Mendis allowed 17 runs in two overs.

Brook's historic double century and Jackson's explosive batting helped England reach a total of 429 runs in the ODI.

In the overall ODI standings, India leads with 9 wins, followed by England with 8, South Africa with 8, Australia with 3, New Zealand with 2, Sri Lanka with 2, West Indies with 1, and Zimbabwe with 1.

Fastest ODI double century records (by balls): Harry Brook vs Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi in 2026 — 114; Shubman Gill vs West Indies in Guwahati in 2026 — 117; Ishan Kishan vs Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2022 — 126; Glenn Maxwell vs Afghanistan in Mumbai WS in 2023 — 128; Pathum Nissanka vs Afghanistan in Palakkad in 2024 — 136.

Highest individual scores for England in ODIs: 202 — Harry Brook vs Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi in 2026; 182 — Ben Stokes vs New Zealand in The Oval in 2023; 180 — Jason Roy vs Australia in Melbourne in 2018; 171 — Alex Hales vs Pakistan in Trent Bridge in 2016; 167* — Robin Smith vs Australia in Edgbaston in 1993.

England's squad for this match included: Tom Banten, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook (captain), Willie Jackson, Sam Curran, Jordan Cox, Jamie Overton, Liam Dawson, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tang. Sri Lanka's squad consisted of: Chamindu Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (captain), Pawan Ratnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Ashton Malanga, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.

Indian batsman Abhishek Sharma achieved a historic feat during the T20 series match against New Zealand on Thursday (October 22). The game was played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, where the team was aiming for 226 runs.

Sharma hit a six off the very first delivery, becoming the player who most frequently hits sixes off the first ball in T20 Internationals. The quick attack began when New Zealand's fast bowler Matt Henry bowled a full and wide delivery at the end of the first over. Sharma masterfully executed a cover drive, sending the ball over the boundary.

This success marked his seventh instance of hitting a six off the first ball in T20 Internationals. Previously, this record belonged to Afghan player Shafiqullah Shinwari, who had done it six times. Abhishek Sharma surpassed him in this regard. Suryakumar Yadav is also listed among the leaders, holding third place with five such sixes.

After hitting the six, Sharma continued to aggressively attack the New Zealand bowlers without wasting much time. In the fourth over against Edmead Milne, he scored two fours and two sixes. However, in the sixth over, he lost his wicket while attempting a powerful shot against Michael Bresshaw. Edmead Milne, positioned at short third man, caught him.

Abhishek Sharma scored 29 runs off 12 balls, including three fours and three sixes, with an average strike rate of 241.67. Together with Sanju Samson, he provided incredible momentum to the Indian team, scoring 93 runs in the first 35 balls of the first batting wicket. When Sharma was dismissed, India's score was 93 runs for one wicket after 5.5 overs.