Industry Odisha Bureau, Sep 27: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma begin the West Indies series near major ODI milestones. The opening match in Thiruvananthapuram could start several countdowns. Tendulkar benchmarks are also within range.
Virat Kohli needs 59 runs to reach 15,000 in one-day internationals. Rohit Sharma is 105 runs short of 12,000. Both landmarks are within reach as India host West Indies.
The series opens in Thiruvananthapuram. It also forms part of the build-up to the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
Kohli closes on 15,000
Kohli enters the series on 14,941 ODI runs. Only Sachin Tendulkar, with 18,426, has gone past 15,000. Kohli would become the second batter to reach the mark. He could also become the fastest to get there.
His numbers explain why the landmark is close. He averages 58.59 across 314 matches and 302 innings. He has 54 ODI centuries, 79 fifties and a best of 183.
The venue adds an intriguing detail. Kohli has scored 199 runs in two ODIs at Thiruvananthapuram. He has not been dismissed there.
That tally includes 166 not out from 110 balls against Sri Lanka. The January 2023 innings featured 13 fours and eight sixes. Past returns, however, guarantee nothing in a new match.
West Indies have also suffered against him before. Kohli has 2,261 runs against them from 41 innings. He averages 66.50 against West Indies, with nine centuries and 11 fifties.
Three Tendulkar benchmarks
Kohli is also closing on three separate Tendulkar records. Each belongs to a different statistical category.
First, Kohli has 59 List-A centuries. Tendulkar holds the record with 60. Two more would take Kohli clear.
Second, he has 41 international centuries at home. Tendulkar made 42, so again two more would move Kohli ahead.
Third, Kohli has 6,867 ODI runs in India. Tendulkar scored 6,976, leaving a gap of 109 runs. Kohli has 27 home ODI centuries and 36 fifties.
Overall, he has 85 international centuries. This year, he has 384 runs from six innings at 64.00.
Rohit eyes two landmarks
Rohit carries his own double target into the series. He has 11,895 ODI runs from 288 matches and 280 innings.
Another 105 would make him the third Indian to reach 12,000. Only Kohli and Tendulkar have done so. Rohit averages 48.95, with 34 centuries and a best of 264.
His second target concerns his role at the top of the order. Rohit has 9,865 ODI runs as an opener. That figure is separate from his overall career tally.
He needs 135 more to reach 10,000 as an opener. He would become only the fourth opener to get there. He would be the second Indian after Tendulkar.
His opening record includes 32 centuries and 49 fifties, at an average of 54.5.
Against West Indies, he has 1,613 runs at an average of 57.60. He arrives after scoring 138 against England at Lord’s. This year he has 379 runs from nine innings at 42.11.
Milestones in a longer journey
Both players now concentrate on ODI cricket. This series offers several milestones within touching distance.
Some may arrive quickly; others may take longer. For now, the numbers frame a series watched closely ahead of 2027.
