Virat Kohli Breaks Rahul Dravid’s SENA ODI Record With Historic Feat

Virat Kohli broke Rahul Dravid’s long-standing record by scoring 65 runs in the second ODI of the three-match series. The veteran batsman achieved another major milestone by becoming the Indian player to score the most ODI half-centuries in the host countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia). His half-century against England in the second ODI was his 30th in these countries, leaving him behind every other Indian batsman.

Kohli Extends His SENA ODI Fifty Record

During the second ODI against England, Kohli scored his 30th ODI fifty in the host country, surpassing Dravid’s 29. Sachin Tendulkar is second with 25 runs, while MS Dhoni is second with 24 runs and Mohammad Azharuddin is third with 17 runs. Playing only ODIs for India, Kohli has scored 65 runs off 66 balls at Cardiff.

In England, he has scored three ODI centuries. Across all formats for the country, Kohli has played 1,096 runs in 17 Tests at an average of 33.21, 1,378 runs in 35 ODIs at an average of 51.03 and seven T20Is in which he has scored 192 runs. Playing only ODIs for India now, Kohli has scored 65 runs off 66 balls at Cardiff.

India Finish With 233 After Middle-Order Resistance

After winning the first ODI by six wickets, England elected to bowl first, and India were bowled out for 233 in 44 overs in the second match played at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens. Half-centuries from Kohli and Shreyas Iyer gave India a solid base, but regular wickets prevented the visitors from making a big score.

The Indian innings started cautiously on a pitch that favoured seamers. Rohit Sharma scored 26 and captain Shubman Gill added 31 before both were dismissed. Ishan Kishan, who came in for the ailing KL Rahul, could only manage one run. Kohli and Iyer then stabilised the innings with a vital partnership, before Jofra Archer ended Kohli’s innings on 65.

India struggled after Kohli’s wicket, losing wickets at a rapid pace. Shivam Dube, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar all failed to reach double figures. Iyer kept the innings strong with a 71-ball 66, while Jasprit Bumrah remained unbeaten on 20 to help India cross the 230-run mark. Archer took 3 for 42, while Gus Atkinson also took three wickets. Saqib Mahmud returned to the crease and took two wickets as England restricted India to 233, needing 234 to level the three-match series.

Kohli Becomes India’s Leading Run-Scorer Against England

Kohli has now become the highest run-scorer against England in all international formats with 2,646 runs. He has surpassed Rahul Dravid, who had 2,645 runs. Kohli has played 59 matches in England and batted in 79 innings. His figures are the highest by any Asian batsman in international cricket played on English soil.

Among visiting batters, only Viv Richards (3,402), Steve Smith (3,348), Ricky Ponting (2,833) and Allan Border (2,799) have scored more international runs in England than Kohli.

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Kohli Sets New Indian Record for Fifties Against England

Kohli has also gone to the top of the list for the most international fifties by an Indian batter against England, with 19. He moved ahead of Rahul Dravid to set a new Indian record.

Kohli Moves Into Fifth on All-Time Appearance List

The match also saw Kohli overtake Ricky Ponting to become the fifth most-capped player in international cricket. It was his 561st appearance for India across formats, taking him one ahead of Ponting’s 560 matches.

Now only Sachin Tendulkar (664), Mahela Jayawardene (652), Kumar Sangakkara (594) and Sanath Jayasuriya (586) are above him in the all-time record-breaking list. Virat Kohli continued to add to his remarkable career with another record-breaking performance in Cardiff.

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