India vs West Indies: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli eye major milestones in Thiruvananthapuram ODI

The first India-West Indies ODI at Thiruvananthapuram will witness the Men in Blue’s iconic duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, now ODI-exclusive legends, begin their chase for several milestones and career-defining records that could dominate headlines leading up to the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Both Rohit and Virat boast exceptional numbers against the West Indies, with Rohit holding the highest number of runs by a batter against the Caribbean side. In 37 ODIs and 35 innings against the West Indies, Rohit has scored 1,613 runs at an average of 57.60, including three centuries and 12 fifties, with a best score of 162. On the other hand, Virat has accumulated 2,261 runs in 43 matches and 41 innings at an average of 66.50, featuring nine centuries and 11 fifties.

Virat, India's second-highest ODI run-getter after Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs), needs just 59 runs to become only the second player in history to reach 15,000 ODI runs. He has scored 14,941 runs in 314 matches and 302 innings at an average of 58.59, with 54 centuries and 79 fifties, alongside a top score of 183. He could also become the fastest to reach the landmark during this series.


Also read: Virat Kohli says 2027 World Cup will be his last for India

The countdown towards the much-anticipated 100-century mark will continue for Virat and his legion of fans, as the 37-year-old currently sits on 85 international centuries. With nine centuries in just 41 innings already against the West Indies, a century or two—or even a hat-trick of tons, something Virat has previously achieved against them—cannot be ruled out.

What better place to kick off another exceptional run than Thiruvananthapuram, where Virat is yet to be dismissed. In two ODIs at the venue, he has scored 199 runs without losing his wicket, including an entertaining knock of 166* off 110 balls (featuring 13 fours and eight sixes) against Sri Lanka in January 2023. That performance saw him accelerate seamlessly from an 85-ball hundred to 166*, offering a masterclass in ODI innings building.

Additionally, Virat requires two more centuries to surpass Sachin’s all-time record of 60 List-A tons, currently sitting at 59 centuries in the format. Achieving this would further elevate his legacy as a titan of 50-over cricket, having dominated it from state level to the international stage.

Currently holding 41 international centuries on home soil, Virat is also just two tons away from breaking Sachin’s all-time record of 42 home centuries.

There is a third Sachin record within Virat’s sights: the most ODI runs by a batter in home conditions. Sachin leads the tally with 6,976 runs in 164 matches, while Virat currently stands at 6,867 runs in 130 matches and 127 innings at an average of 62.42, with 27 centuries and 36 fifties.

In six innings this year, Virat has amassed 384 runs at an average of 64.00 and a strike rate of over 106, including a century and three fifties.

Meanwhile, Rohit, who is currently India’s third-highest ODI run-getter, is just 105 runs shy of becoming the third Indian batter to hit the 12,000-run mark in ODIs, joining Virat Kohli (14,941 runs) and Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs).

Across 288 ODIs and 280 innings so far, Rohit has registered 11,895 runs at an average of 48.95, with 34 centuries and 62 fifties, alongside a personal best of 264.

The opening batter is also approaching another massive milestone, standing just 135 runs away from becoming only the fourth opener—and the second Indian after Sachin Tendulkar—to score 10,000 runs as an ODI opener. Currently, he has 9,865 runs in 201 matches and 199 innings as an opener at an average of 54.5, with 32 centuries and 49 fifties. Following initial years of middle-order struggle, reaching this milestone will further cement Rohit’s legacy as an all-time great opener.

Sachin tops the openers' list with 15,310 runs in 344 matches and 340 innings at an average of 48.29, featuring 45 centuries and 72 fifties, with a highest score of 200*.

In nine ODIs this year, Rohit has compiled 379 runs at an average of 42.11 and a strike rate of 99.21 across nine innings, registering one century and one fifty. His last outing was a score of 138 against England at Lord's.

Kohli's future plans

Virat Kohli has said the 2027 50-over World Cup will be his last for India and that he is determined to give everything to help the team win the trophy. Kohli, who has already retired from T20 internationals and Test cricket, now plays only ODIs and is currently the leading century-maker in the format with 54 hundreds and 14,941 runs, second only to Sachin Tendulkar’s 18,426. The 37-year-old won the 2011 World Cup on home soil but was part of the Indian team that lost the 2023 final to Australia.

The 2027 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, is set to be Kohli’s fifth ODI World Cup. Speaking to JioStar, Kohli said the tournament’s intensity and the challenge of playing in foreign conditions make it particularly demanding, adding that his motivation is to “leave everything out there” and do whatever it takes to win.

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, who like Kohli now plays only ODIs, said he remains motivated by the prospect of another World Cup campaign. Both players have been named in India’s squad for the three-match ODI series against the West Indies, beginning in Thiruvananthapuram.