Kohli Surpasses Sangakkara: A Stellar ODI Comparison

Published: 26 October 2025

Introduction

In a thrilling showdown of cricket’s finest, Virat Kohli has now surpassed Kumar Sangakkara in ODI runs after both played 305 matches. Kohli's remarkable performance secured him a prominent place in cricket history, while we take a closer look at their impressive statistics.

Virat Kohli's ODI Performance

As of now, Kohli has scored a staggering 14,255 runs in 305 ODIs with an exceptional average of 57.71 and a strike rate of 93.26. In matchups against major teams, his records are as follows:

OpponentMatchesRunsAverage
Australia532,52553.72
Sri Lanka562,65260.27
New Zealand331,65755.23
South Africa311,50465.39

Kumar Sangakkara's Unforgettable Journey

Sangakkara, during his 305 ODIs, accumulated 9,653 runs with an average of 37.85 and a strike rate of 75.17. His batting feats are noteworthy:

OpponentMatchesRunsAverage
India601,99436.92
Australia371,45642.82
Pakistan391,13434.36
South Africa301,06240.84

Kohli’s Record Breakers

Kohli’s achievements in ODI cricket include:

  • 51 centuries and 75 half-centuries.
  • Highest score: 183 against Pakistan.
  • 10 hundreds against Sri Lanka.

Sangakkara's Early Milestones

In comparison, Sangakkara had:

  • 11 centuries and 66 fifties.
  • Best score of 138* against India.
  • Three centuries against India.

Conclusion

Both players have left an indelible mark in the world of cricket. Kohli continues to redefine records, while Sangakkara’s contributions remain legendary.