Virat Kohli breaks Tendulkar home run record in West Indies victory

Virat Kohli surpassed two significant milestones previously held by Sachin Tendulkar on Monday, 28 September, as India secured an eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram. The 37-year-old became the first batter in One Day International (ODI) history to exceed 7,000 runs on home soil, reaching a career total of 7,006 home runs to eclipse Tendulkar’s previous mark of 6,976. Record-breaking performance in Thiruvananthapuram Kohli’s unbeaten 139 off 88 balls included 10 boundaries and nine sixes, marking his 55th ODI century. During the innings, he also reached 15,000 career ODI runs in his 303rd innings. This achievement makes him only the second player to reach the figure, doing so 74 innings faster than Tendulkar. Kohli’s strike rate for the match ended at 157.95, significantly aiding India's chase of the 296-run target set by the visitors. The performance follows Kohli’s absence from the ODI format since India’s tour of England on 19 July. Returning to domestic conditions, he reached his half-century in 40 balls and his century in 74 balls, concluding the match with 50 deliveries to spare. Opening batter Shubman Gill supported the chase with 110 runs as India reached 298-2 in 41.4 overs. Chasing the century milestone This match served as a critical indicator of Kohli’s form ahead of India’s winter schedule, as he moves closer to Tendulkar’s record of 100 international centuries. The West Indies had earlier posted 295-7, a total that proved…