Virat Kohli is scripting history in Auckland, becoming the first batsman to do so

Virat Kohli on Wednesday added another remarkable milestone to his illustrious career by becoming the first batsman in ODI history to score 13,000 runs while batting at No.3.The former India captain achieved the landmark during the first ODI against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland, further cementing his status as one of the greatest one-day batsmen of all time.Kohli has achieved a milestone in a category dominated by some of the biggest names in cricket. Before him, only Sachin Tendulkar crossed the 13,000-run mark at one batting position in ODIs, scoring 13,685 runs while batting at No.2.Kohli now leads the list of highest run scorers at 3rd place with exactly 13000 runs at an excellent average of 61.61. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting is second on the list with 12,662 runs at 42.48, followed by Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara who has amassed 9,747 runs at 44.71.South Africa’s Jacques Kallis is fourth with 7,774 runs, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson is fifth with 6,504 runs. Pakistan’s Babar Azam and England’s Joe Root complete the list of the top seven scorers in this position.

Most runs at No. 3 in ODI cricket

BatterRunsAverageVirat Kohli13.00061.61Ricky Ponting12.66242.48Kumar Sangakkara9.74744.71Jacques Kallis7.77445.72Kane Williamson6.50451.61Babar Azam6.54eJ45 Root5.52553.12Kohli returned to India’s ODI playing XI in the opening XI series along with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul for the five-match ODI series.Meanwhile, India got off to a great start with the ball after skipper Shubman Gill opted to bowl first. The visitors dismissed New Zealand for 185 in 40.2 overs with Arshdeep Singh claiming four wickets, Gurnoor Brar three and Anshul Kamboj two.Kohli also made his presence felt on the field as he took a superb one-handed catch to dismiss Nathan Smith off Kamboj’s bowling.