After India’s four-wicket win over New Zealand in the first ODI, Virat Kohli had more than just the result to savour. With his latest innings, Kohli moved to second place on the list of highest run-scorers in international cricket across formats, with only one name now ahead of him — a milestone that underlined the longevity and consistency of his career.
Speaking to Harsha Bhogle during the post-match presentation, Kohli was asked what the achievement meant to him, especially given the stature of the player he continues to admire at the top of the list. The former India captain responded with characteristic humility, describing his career arc as something he could once only dream of.
Kohli said that when he looks back at his journey, it feels “nothing short of a dream come true.” He reflected on how he always believed in his abilities from the time he first arrived on the international scene, but also acknowledged that belief alone was not enough. According to him, reaching this stage required sustained hard work, perseverance, and constant effort to improve year after year.
The Indian batter added that he feels immensely grateful for how his career has unfolded. He credited his success to being “blessed with way too much” and said he has no reason to complain about anything life or cricket has given him. For Kohli, the overwhelming emotion attached to this milestone is gratitude rather than numbers or rankings.
He concluded by saying that he looks back at his entire journey with grace and pride, carrying a deep sense of thankfulness in his heart. While records continue to follow him, Kohli’s words once again highlighted that, for him, the journey and the lessons along the way matter as much as the milestones themselves.